1 Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences October 4 Lecture 12

2 Office Hour Invitations October 4, 11:30-2:30, Kenny

A little R&R …. (Review and Reflect) 3

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

5 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.

6 5. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males. 4. discuss the function of gender stereotype subtypes.

7 What are gender stereotypes? This individual is an accomplished 20 th 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.

8 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).

9 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?

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

11  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).

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

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

14  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.

15 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:

16 ◦ 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:

17 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.

18 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.

19 5. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males. 4. discuss the function of gender stereotype subtypes.