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Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences

October 4

Lecture 12

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Office Hour InvitationsOctober 4, 11:30-2:30, Kenny 3102

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A little R&R ….(Review and Reflect)

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Gender Stereotypes

3. Are there subtypes of gender stereotypes?

2. What features characterize gender stereotypes?

1. What are gender stereotypes?

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1. define the term gender stereotype.

2. discuss the functions of gender stereotypes.

By the end of today’s class, you should be able to:

3. summarize the results of research on the character-istics of gender stereotypes.

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5. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males.

4. discuss the function of gender stereotype subtypes.

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What are gender stereotypes?

This individual is an accomplished 20th century political figure who, prior to entering politics, worked as a research chemist and as a tax attorney.

This internationally recognized public figure was known to be a loving and involved parent, and had gained a reputation for always being well coifed and tastefully dressed.

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• Gender stereotypes: Cognitive schemas that reflect beliefs about the shared characteristics of females and the shared characteristics of males. May be positive, negative, or neutral.

• Gender stereotypes are automatically activated, influencing perceptions of others and interpretations of

others’ behaviours. Examples: Condry & Condry (1976); Moss-Racusin et al. (2012).

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• Williams and Best (1990, 1999; also see Diekman & Eagly, 2000; Prentice & Carranza, 2002) examined stereotypes across 30 countries:

Recruited participants from diverse countries (e.g., Austria, Bolivia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, New

Zealand, Nigeria, the Unites States).

What features characterize gender stereotypes?

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

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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).

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Characteristics Consensually Associated with Men

Dominant Self-confident Boastful

Adventurous Assertive Unkind

Strong Energetic Opportunistic

Aggressive Coarse Logical

Forceful Clear-thinking Inventive

Independent Active Robust

Unemotional Stern Progressive

Wise Courageous Daring

Ambitious Rational Hardhearted

Determined Disorderly Realistic

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Characteristics Consensually Associated with Women

Charming Fearful Weak

Sensitive Gentle Curious

Emotional Mild Sexy

Shy Pleasant Talkative

Anxious Submissive Affectionate

Attractive Dependent Affected

Meek Kind Softhearted

Sentimental Superstitious Dreamy

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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 beingstronger than women.

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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:

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◦ 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:

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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.

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1. define the term gender stereotype.

2. discuss the functions of gender stereotypes.

By the end of today’s class, you should be able to:

3. summarize the results of research on the character-istics of gender stereotypes.

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5. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males.

4. discuss the function of gender stereotype subtypes.