Yet another dark side of chivalry: Benevolent sexism undermines and hostile sexism motivates collective action for social change

The current research tests a model for understanding how benevolent sexism undermines, whereas hostile sexism promotes, social change. Study 1 (N = 99) and Study 2 (N = 92) demonstrate that exposing women to benevolent sexism decreases their engagement in collective action, whereas exposure to hosti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of personality and social psychology Vol. 101; no. 1; p. 62
Main Authors Becker, Julia C, Wright, Stephen C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.07.2011
Subjects
Adult
Affect
Defense Mechanisms
Dominance-Subordination
Female
Gender Identity
Hostility
Humans
Intention
Middle Aged
Models, Psychological
Motivation
Paternalism
Prejudice
Social Change
Stereotyping
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Summary:The current research tests a model for understanding how benevolent sexism undermines, whereas hostile sexism promotes, social change. Study 1 (N = 99) and Study 2 (N = 92) demonstrate that exposing women to benevolent sexism decreases their engagement in collective action, whereas exposure to hostile sexism increases it. Both effects were mediated by gender-specific system justification and perceived advantages of being a woman. In Study 2, positive and negative affect also mediated these relationships. Results from Studies 3 and 4 (N = 68 and N = 37) support the causal chain described in the mediational models tested in Studies 1 and 2. Manipulations that increased gender-specific system justification (Study 3) and perceived advantages of being a woman (Study 4) reduced intentions to participate in collective action.
ISSN:1939-1315
DOI:10.1037/a0022615