Psy512 CH 14
Psy512 CH 14
Psy512 CH 14
Lesson 15
GENDER STEREOTYPES
Gender stereotypes are beliefs about the typical characteristics and behaviors of men and women
(Worchel et.al. 2000). Stereotyping is universal It is cultural phenomenon. Some stereotypes are
culture specific, whereas most are universal. A stereotype can be thought of a schema about
member of an identifiable group (Hamilton, 1979, 1981).Stereotypes are based upon, depict, and
strengthen already held prejudices.
When people hold stereotypes about others, they do not see them as individuals in their own
sight, but in the light of pre-formed believes. When you see a person, a woman for example,
about whom you hold a stereotype, your relevant stereotype schema is activated. This activation
is automatic, like most other schema. Walter Lippmann (1992), a journalist, was the first one to
use the term "stereotype" in the social sciences' context. He described stereotype as "pictures in
our head". For Lippmann stereotypes are negative in nature that protects the relative social
standing and interests of those who hold these.
"Racism" and “Sexism" are the two main contexts in which stereotypes are mostly held and
applied. Stereotypes not only affect peoples' interpersonal and inter-group relations and
networking; they also affect one's perception of one's own abilities as well as status as members
of a society.
Such attributes portray men as more capable, able, and strong as compared to women.
Emotions Stable, never cry, can hold Gentle, soft-hearted, cry soon, can
emotions, aggressive, serious, not hold emotion, sensitive,
brave, unemotional emotional, sentimental, fearful
These societies prefer competence over warmth and expressiveness .Competence related traits are
associated with men: independence, objectivity, competence. Warmth and expressiveness traits,
attached to females include gentlemen and awareness of others' feelings.
Authoritarian Model Approach: Authoritarian parents do make expression of their love for
children, but at the same time make them behave they want them to.
Children of such parents learn and adopt stereotypes held by parents almost automatically, since
that is the only way they are expected to behave.
Punishment or negative reinforcement is employed by parents for making children learn the
desired behaviors.
Feminist Approach: Gender stereotypes are formed, held, and practiced as a result of male-
dominance, and female-subservience in the society.
Men have been oppressing women since they have been in dominant positions.
It suits them, for maintaining their dominance that females are kept in second-rate citizen status.
Traditional stereotypes imply that women are weak, less capable and dependent upon their
male counterparts.
Children are taught gender-appropriate behaviors for themselves, as well as ways of perceiving
members of the opposite gender. Gender stereotypes and role one learnt are through various
means:
Direct instructions:
Parents direct children how to behave and how not to e.g., “Don’t cry Boys! Don’t cry, Are you a
girl?" “Don’t try to fix the switch daughter! Let your brother dot it! It is boy's job."
Education
School and curricula also transmit stereotypical thinking. Teachers teach boys not to act like girls,
as if behaving like a girl is something deplorable. Textbooks portray males as capable and
professional. Females are depicted as non-professional, and usually home bound. Text books
mostly show man as doctors, surgeons, pilots, scientists, lawyers or engineers. Females are shown
to be doing less prestigious jobs like house work or nursing. Fifty percent of the work in fields in
done by females in rural areas, but one hardly sees a woman depicted as a farmer.
Media
Media, especially electronic media play an important role in strengthening stereotypes.
Females are mostly portrayed as mere show pieces, articles of attraction less intelligent (in fact
stupid), talkative, quarrelsome, and cowardly.
Men are shown as brave, intelligent and saviors of women.
Gender roles play a very significant part in Stereotyping
Also, how come stereotypes existing in different parts of the world are identical, or at least
similar?
Research evidence suggests that a number of stereotypes are reality-based e.g. men are strong; but
many may not have anything to do with reality e.g. women are not wise or intelligent. There is
no dearth of evidence that men and women share much more similarities, than they have
differences.
Most personality traits, physical and mental capabilities, emotions, hopes, fears and wishes are
equally manifested by all human, male and female (Worchel, 2000). The gender difference are
enlarged, used and emphasized by the dominant group i.e. males, in order to strengthen their
position in the society.
Stereotypes that reflect negative attitudes of the dominant group are less emphasized, and their
connotation rationalized.
Aggressiveness as a Stereotype
Research shows that men are more aggressive than women; especially in terms of aggressiveness
causing pain or physical injury (Eagly & Steffen, 1986). In case of adult phenomenon like
spousal abuse, men are typically involved as the aggressors and women as victims (Strauss &
Gelles, 1986). However there is some evidence suggesting that sex differences in aggression
diminish with age (Hyde, 1984).
Leadership
There is a greater likelihood for men, than women, to emerge as leaders in initially leaderless
groups.
This is truer when the groups are short-term, and when they involve tasks not requiring complex
social interaction (Eagly & Karan, 1991). A review of leadership literature revealed that female
leaders as compared to men are:
o More likely to adopt a democratic or participative style
o Less likely to adopt an autocratic or directive style (Eagly & Johnson, 1990)
The review also provided some indication that women are more likely to use an interpersonally
oriented style, and men are more likely to adopt a task-oriented style.