Ellemers (2018) - Gender stereotypes

Question 1

Main influence of gender stereotypes

Answer 1

Influence what we do, how we act, and store information about ourselves. They are very prescriptive and influence our life choices.

Question 2

Reason for persistence of gender stereotypes

Answer 2

Gender categorisations are immediately made (even when not necessary) because gender is so salient. They serve as a heuristic. People also stereotype themselves, behaving according to their stereotype, strengthening the stereotype.

Question 3

Scientific insights on biological roles of men and women

Answer 3

Men and women are biologically fairly similar, differences between them do not account for the inferences we make about supposed essential differences. Gender differences develop over the course of a life span due to how people are raised, thus gender roles are learned.

Question 4

Implicit gender stereotypes and expectations

Answer 4

Children are often thought what role comes with their gender implicitly and explicitly. Gender expectations affect the standards to which we hold people. For example, women are expected to be warm and men are expected to be competent (basic dimensions of human cognition, see stereotype content model).