Social Psychology

I. Sexism takes many (sometimes surprising) forms

Sexism in a different form Hostile Sexism: Explicit antagonistic attitude toward women Benevolent Sexism: Benevolent sexism & womens performance (Bardenne et al., 2007) o Female job applicants interviewed by male o Independent variable: Exposure to Sexism
Control Condition: No Sexism Hostile Sexism: We have to start employing some of the weaker sexwomen are so easily offended Benevolent Sexism: You will be working with a lot of men and they know
they will be working with a woman. So, they have agreed to put in the necessary time to help you.

o Dependent Variables: Self-esteem, self- doubt & Performance

I. Sexism takes many (sometimes surprising) forms

Benevolent sexism & womens performance (Bardenne et al., 2007)

Results: o Women performed worse on mental task in the Benevolent sexism condition, compared to the other conditions o Women reported greater self-doubt, pre-occupation with the task, and lowered self-esteem in Benevolent sexism condition compared to Hostile Sexism condition.

Benevolent Sexism and Rape-Blame (Abrams et al., 2003)

o Results: Men and women who more strongly support Benevolent

sexism are more likely to blame rape victims, relative to those that do not.

I. Sexism takes many (sometimes surprising) forms

Gender expectations & leadership (Rudman & Glick, 2001) o Applicants described themselves as competitive and having strong evidence of their leadership ability o Results: Both men and women were rated as highly competent Men were liked more than women Men were hired more The Backlash effect:

I. Sexism takes many (sometimes surprising) forms

So, you fight through & you make it, whats waiting for you? Gender & Leadership Placement (Haslam & Ryan, 2006) 83 Business leaders took part in study asked to evaluate suitability of job candidate for leadership position
o Independent variables:

Gender of Candidate (Male vs. Female) Companys past performance: (Increasing vs. Decreasing)
Increase: Financial performance increasing & stocks on the rise Decrease: Financial performance decreasing & stocks plummeting.

o Dependent Variable: Evaluation of suitability for leadership position

o Results: Female candidates judged as significantly more suitable

than men for declining organization, but not for the improving organization.

The Glass cliff:

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

I. Sexism takes many (sometimes surprising) forms II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences
o Norms act not only as comparison points, but also as prescriptions o How can strict norms have consequences?

Masculinity norms & prejudice against Gays (Vincent et al., 2011)

o Participants were heterosexual males o Asked about worry about not fitting into masculine norms:

Perceived as feminine Had to ask for directions when lost Comfort a male friend that was really upset With a more successful woman
o Results: Men more worried about fitting into strict masculinity

norms were more likely to not only have negative attitudes towards Gays, but had higher intentions to harm gays (e.g., physically get

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

Norms also have consequences in the beauty arena Who is it more important to be attractive? Men or Women? Importance of attractiveness for women, but not men (Marlowe et al., 1996)
o 112 Managers evaluated (equivalent) resumes for Vice

Presidential position o Independent variables Gender (Male vs. Female) Attractiveness (Attractive vs. Less Attractive) o Dependent variable: Suitability for position and hire decisions o Results: Males: No differences between Attractive and less attractive applicants

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

Norms also have consequences in the beauty arena Commercials & Body Satisfaction (Strahan, et al., 2008)
o Female Participants watched a series tv commercials for marketing study

o Independent variable

Inclusion of Victoria Secret commercial in middle (Yes vs. No)

o Dependent variable: Concern with other people & body dissatisfaction

Results: Women in Victoria secret condition reported greater concern

with other peoples perceptions and decreased body dissatisfaction

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

Norms/commercials trickle down to everyday lives Between women (Lookin good for.other women)? Self-Objectification: Objectification of womens bodies causes women to adopt in outsiders view of themselves, as objects or sights to be appreciated by others
o Cat calls / pick-up lines on the street

Consequences of Self-objectification:
o increased anxiety, particularly with regard to appearance.

o Increase body shame

o disrupted cognitive functioning due to diminished mental

resources
o Restrained eating

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

Norms & values trickle down to everyday lives For women Self objectification & women (Quinn et al., 1998)
o Female participants asked to evaluate products o Independent Variable: Objectification context

Yes (Swimsuit) No (Sweater)

o Dependent variables: Body shame, restrained eating, performance

on math test

Results:

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

Norms & Men Male norms & Body type Media portrayals & men (Agliata & Tantleff-Dunn, 2004) o Participants watched a series of tv commercials for marketing study o Independent variable Inclusion of Male ideal in commercials Male ideal commercials (Muscular, lean, no-shirt) Neutral commercials (Non-muscular) o Dependent variable: Concern with other people & body dissatisfaction Results: Increased dissatisfaction about muscles and higher scores on a state-level depression in male ideal

II. Gender norms & ideals have very strong consequences

Media portrayals, norms & values trickle down to everyday liveswithin couples Women as objects & mens desires Dehumanization & Sexual Aggression (Rudman & Mescher, 2012)
o Male Participants asked to evaluate products
o Assessed mens automatic association of women (closer to human

or animal) with IAT. o Dependent variables: Asked to select pictures to show women. Men could choose between sexually violent pictures (e.g., rape or sexual harassment) or just violent pictures (e.g, men fighting).

Results: Men who automatically associated women more with objects (than with humans) more likely to select sexually violent pictures for women to observe.

III. Know the Game

II. Gender norms & Ideals have very strong consequences How can you succeed? III. Know the Game Large scale survey of highest ranking and most successful females in their companies (Ragins & Mattis, 1998) Four Womens Career Advancement Strategies :
o Consistently exceed performance expectations
o Develop a style that men are comfortable with o Seek difficult or high visibility assignments o Have an influential mentor