Psych of Sex and Gender Exam 2 - 2026

Stereotype

belief about members of a certain group that we commonly hold

Positive stereotype

“men are good at math” (boosts a demographic)

Negative Stereotype

“women are lazy” (beats down a demographic)

Schemas

opposite of stereotype - personal belief in our own mind

Harris and Sanborn (2014): how does media interact with stereotypes?

Reflects, perpetuates, and reinforces

Eagly: Social Role Theory

Communal (warm, caring, nurturing) v. Agentic (assertive, quick decisionmaker, tough skin)

Eagly & Karau: Role Congruity Theory

When an individual doesn’t fit into the stereotype, prejudice is born

Eagly & Karau: Role Congruity Theory (study)

Women in leadership sample, found that women were perceived as less favorable than men as leaders due to not being emotional enough or too emotional - women were bossy or bitchy

Gender Stereotypes Reading

What is bad about ‘women are from venus and men are from mars"‘

insinuates that men and women are so different from each other that they come from other places of origin

Gender Stereotypes Reading

Men are more likely to be _____ and _____ and ______ leading to things like drunk driving and more while women are the opposite

assertive, impulsive, aggressive

Gender Stereotypes Reading

Suggests that women and men are different occupationally, what does this mean?

blue and pink jobs

Gender Stereotypes Reading

nurture characteristics are increased ____ months after each parent has the child due to an uptick in ______ levels.

6, oxytocin

Gender Stereotypes Reading

Women are _____ likely to be picked for a promotion than men.

less

Gender Stereotypes Reading

Women are more evaluated based on _______ than _____ while it is the opposite for men.

appearance, accomplishments

Gender Stereotypes Reading

What are implicit teachings? (think development)

Children will be taught the parents tendencies and become gendered even if it is not on purpose.

Kernel of Truth

most stereotypes are based on truth - can be personal level or entire society

Stereotype Content Model

A stereotype is a function of how a group is perceived on two dimensions: warmth and competence.

Stereotype Content Model - scores for warmth and competence

High - High —→ _____ & _____

warmth and admiration

Stereotype Content Model - scores for warmth and competence

High - Low —→ _____ & _____

sympathetic and pitiful

Stereotype Content Model - scores for warmth and competence

Low - High —→ _____ & _____

envy and jealousy - possibly even annoyance

Stereotype Content Model - scores for warmth and competence

Low - Low —→ _____ & _____

rejection and anger - possibly even disgust

3 Components

A - Cognitive (beliefs about group), B - Affective (feelings of dislike), C - Behavior (tendency to avoid targeted group)

Overt Prejudice

out in the open - example: demanding sexual favors in the workplace

Covert Prejudice

under the surface - example: backhanded compliments

Discrimination

the unjust prejudicial treatment of people based on demographics

Moss Racusin et al. (2012) Study

What was the study about?

Applications were the same for both male and female applicants, found that men were rated higher in hireability, mentoring, and competence.

Ambivalent Sexism

feel both hostility and benevolence toward women

Benevolent Sexism

belief that women are special and to be cherished and protected

Hostile Sexism

belief that women are inferior and threatening to take over man’s rightful place

Harassment

occurs when discrimination is applied aggressively or with intimidations

Gender Role Conflict (GRC)

most widely studies aspect of masculine gender role strain - restrict emotion expression and affectionate behavior

Aggression

behavior that is intended to harm another individual who does not wish to be harmed

Targets (violence)

people who have experienced violence

From 4 on, boys are ____ likely than girls to engage in aggressive + nonaggressive antisocial behavior

more

Status Norms

reflect belief that men must gain respect

Toughness Norms

reflect the expectation that men must be tough to be respected

Antifemininity Norms

must be distanced from all things feminine - to be feminine is to be weak

Masculine Honor Beliefs

view that men’s aggression is justifiable or necessary

Paradox of Politeness

expected to be overly polite all the time - conditions for when that politeness goes away —→ threats and insults

MHB is traced back to _____ culture

southern

“A**hole Study”

Testosterone levels - north or south spiked?

south

“A**hole Study”

Cortisol levels - north or south spiked?

south

MHB are associated with…

trait aggression, benevolent and hostile sexism, support for use of war (when self or allies are threatened)