1. 1 Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences Lecture 12

2. 2 Office Hour Invitations October 9 th, 1:30-2:30, Kenny 2517 10913127 13152111 19431113 28353092 30229116 31003114 35827096 37963097 38228110 44728103

3. 3 3. What are the consequences of gender stereotypes? Gender Stereotypes 2. Are there subtypes of gender stereotypes? 1. What features characterize gender stereotypes?

4. 4 1. summarize the results of research on the character- istics of gender stereotypes. 2. discuss the function of gender stereotype subtypes. By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 3. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males. 4. distinguish between distinct forms of sexism. 5. identify measures of distinct forms of sexism.

5. 5 What features characterize gender stereotypes? Broverman et al. (1972):  Recruited American participants of varying sociodemographic backgrounds.  Asked participants to indicate the extent to which 122 attributes characterized the average adult female and the average adult male.

6. 6  Identified 41 characteristics that participants believed differentiate females and males.  Defined a stereotypical characteristic as one for which 75% of both females and males agreed that the characteristic described one sex more than the other.

7. 7  Stereotypically female characteristics reflect warmth and expressiveness. Examples: Aware of others feelings, expressive, gentle, neat, quiet, strong need for security, tactful, talkative, tender.

8. 8  Stereotypically male characteristics reflect assertion competence, and rationality. Examples: Ambitious, competitive, decisive, dominant, independent, logical, objective, self-confident, unemotional.

9. 9  Males and females described stereotypically male characteristics as more socially desirable than stereo- typically female characteristics.

10. 10 Williams and Best (1990, 1999) replicated Broverman et al.’s findings across 30 countries.  Recruited participants from diverse countries (e.g., Austria, Bolivia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Unites States).

11. 11  Presented participants with 300 attributes and asked them to indicate which were more characteristic of men and which were more characteristic of women.

12. 12  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 (consensus within country). 2. three-quarters of the countries surveyed agreed that the characteristic described one sex more than the other (consensus across countries).

13. 13 Characteristics Consensually Associated with Men DominantSelf-confidentBoastful AdventurousAssertiveUnkind StrongEnergeticOpportunistic AggressiveCoarseLogical ForcefulClear-thinkingInventive IndependentActiveRobust UnemotionalSternProgressive WiseCourageousDaring AmbitiousRationalHardhearted DeterminedDisorderlyRealistic

14. 14 Characteristics Consensually Associated with Women CharmingFearfulWeak SensitiveGentleCurious EmotionalMildSexy ShyPleasantTalkative AnxiousSubmissiveAffectionate AttractiveDependentAffected MeekKindSofthearted SentimentalSuperstitiousDreamy

15. 15  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.

16. 16 Are there subtypes of gender stereotypes? Researchers (e.g., DeWall et al., 2005; Edwards, 1992; Six & Eckes, 1991) have identified stereotype subtypes for females and males. Stereotype subtypes allow individuals to categorize “unusual” cases as exceptions. Six and Eckes (1991) identified 3 female and 5 male subtypes:

17. 17 ◦ The traditional subtype*: Maternal, devout, conforming, naïve, dependent. ◦ The progressive subtype: Intellectual, independent ambitious, confident, liberated. ◦ The sex bomb subtype: Attractive, seductive, flirtatious. Female subtypes:

18. 18 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.

19. 19 What are the consequences of gender 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 toward women (HS), and benevolent sexism toward women (BS). 1. Sexism

20. 20 TS and MS are assessed by the Modern Sexism Scale (MSS; Swim et al., 1995).

21. 21 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.

22. 22 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)

23. 23 3. What are the consequences of gender stereotypes? Gender Stereotypes 2. Are there subtypes of gender stereotypes? 1. What features characterize gender stereotypes?