1 Psychology 320: Gender Psychology Lecture 11

2 Scoring Your Questionnaire: AMI Compute the following averages: Score 1: Add your scores on items 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19. Divide total by 10. Score 2: Add your scores on items 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20. Divide your total by 10.

3 3. What are the consequences of sex stereotypes? Sex Stereotypes 2. Are there subtypes of sex stereotypes? 1. What features characterize female and male stereotypes? (continued)

4 1. summarize the results of research on the characteristics of sex stereotypes. 2. discuss the function of sex stereotype subtypes. By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 3. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males.

5 4. define the terms “traditional sexism” and “modern sexism.” 5. describe contemporary measures of traditional sexism and modern sexism.

6 Williams and Best (1990, 1999) replicated Broverman et al.’s findings across 30 countries.  Recruited male and female participants from diverse countries (e.g., Austria, Bolivia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Unites States). What features characterize female and male stereotypes? (continued)

7  Presented participants with 300 characteristics and asked them to indicate which items were more characteristic of men and which items were more characteristic of women.

8  Defined a stereotypical characteristic as one for which: 1. two-thirds of both females and males within a country agreed that the characteristic described one sex more than the other (indicating consensus within that country for the characteristic). 2. three-quarters of the countries surveyed agreed that the characteristic described one sex more than the other (indicating cross-cultural consensus for the characteristic).

9 Characteristics Consensually Associated with Men DominantSelf-confidentBoastful AdventurousAssertiveUnkind StrongEnergeticOpportunistic AggressiveCoarseLogical ForcefulClear-thinkingInventive IndependentActiveRobust UnemotionalSternProgressive WiseCourageousDaring AmbitiousRationalHardhearted DeterminedDisorderlyRealistic

10 Characteristics Consensually Associated with Women CharmingFearfulWeak SensitiveGentleCurious EmotionalMildSexy ShyPleasantTalkative AnxiousSubmissiveAffectionate AttractiveDependentAffected MeekKindSofthearted SentimentalSuperstitiousDreamy

11  These lists of characteristics were examined in an effort to identify their underlying dimensions. Three dimensions were identified: 3. Positivity: In general, men were viewed more positively than women. 2. Activity: In general, men were viewed as being more active than women. 1. Strength: In general, men were viewed as being stronger than women.

12 Are there subtypes of sex stereotypes? Researchers (e.g., DeWall et al., 2005; Edwards, 1992; Six & Eckes, 1991) have identified a number of stereotype subtypes for females and males. Stereotype subtypes allow individuals to categorize “unusual” cases as exceptions and, thus, maintain general sex stereotypes.

13 Six and Eckes (1991) identified 3 female and 5 male subtypes: ◦ The traditional subtype: Maternal, devout, naïve, conforming, dependent. ◦ The progressive subtype: Intellectual, ambitious, confident, liberated, independent. ◦ The sex bomb subtype: Attractive, seductive, flirtatious. Female subtypes:

14 Male subtypes: ◦ The playboy subtype: Cool, casual, macho, “lady killers.” ◦ The career-oriented subtype: Intellectual, ambitious, confident, “social climbers.” ◦ The sensitive subtype: Quiet, philanthropic, “softies.” ◦ The bureaucratic subtype: Conservative, conventional, ordinary, common, “boring.” ◦ The egotist subtype: Egotistical, selfish, conceited.

15 What are the consequences of sex stereotypes? Refers to the positive or negative affective reaction that people have toward others because of their sex. Four forms of sexism toward women have been identified: Traditional sexism (TS), modern sexism (MS), hostile sexism (HS), and benevolent sexism (BS). 1. Sexism

16 TS and MS are assessed by the Modern Sexism Scale (MSS; Swim et al., 1995).

17 Traditional Sexism: Women are generally not as smart as men. (R) I would be equally comfortable having a woman as a boss as a man. It is more important to encourage boys than to encourage girls to participate in athletic activities. (R) Women are just as capable of thinking logically as men. When both parents are employed and their child gets sick at school, the school should call the mother rather than the father. (R) Items from the MSS (Swim et al., 1995) Modern Sexism: A. Antagonism Toward Women’s Demands It is easy to understand the anger of women’s groups in America. It is easy to understand why women’s groups are still concerned about societal limitations of women’s opportunities.

18 Modern Sexism, continued: B. Denial of Continuing Discrimination Discrimination against women is no longer a problem in the United States. (R) Women often miss out on good jobs due to sexual discrimination. It is rare to see women treated in a sexist manner on television. (R) On average, people in our society treat husbands and wives equally. (R) Society has reached a point where women and men have equal opportunities for achievement. (R) C. Resentment About Special Favors for Women Over the past few years, the government and news media have been showing more concern about the treatment of women than is warranted by women’s actual experiences. (R)

19 3. What are the consequences of sex stereotypes? Sex Stereotypes 2. Are there subtypes of sex stereotypes? 1. What features characterize female and male stereotypes? (continued)