Lecture 9 Flashcards
What is benevolent prejudice?
Prejudice expressed in terms of apparently positive beliefs and emotional responses to targets of prejudice
How does benevolent prejudice keep target groups in their subordinate place?
By viewing the group positively, but low incompetence. People with this type of prejudice are motivated to keep people subordinate
Which groups are typical receivers of benevolent prejudice?
Women, the elderly, disabled people
What is benevolent sexism?
The idea that women are beautiful and pure creatures to be protected, supported, and adored
What are the 3 components of benevolent sexism?
1) Protective paternalism
2) Complementary gender differentiation
3) Heterosexual Intimacy
What is protective paternalism?
The idea that women need protection and care by men
What is complementary gender differentiation?
Women are seen as the better gender with more unique traits compared to men (ex: Women are better caretakers, nurtures, and have superior morals that men just aren’t as good at)
What is heterosexual intimacy?
The idea that a womans job is to fulfil heterosexual men’s needs.
What is benevolent sexism associated with?
1) Hostile sexism and other forms of prejudice
2) Tends to undermine womens cognitive performance
3) Portrays women as best suited to subordinate roles and justifies gender inequality
What was Becker and Wright’s study on benevolent sexism?
Looked at benevolent sexism and support for collective action. IV: Exposure to either benevolent or hostile sexism (in articles). DV: was collective action (ex: I would like to participate in a rally demanding equal salaries for women). Also a control condition where they weren’t exposed to sexism
What were the results of Becker and Wrights study?
Hostile: Participants wanted to participate in collective action MORE than the control
Benevolent: Participants wanted to engage less than both conditions
What was the follow-up study done by Becker and Wright?
They looked at different forms of collective action (Both gendered and ungendered). In gendered nditions they found the same as before. In non-gendered related collective action, they found no significant differences between groups.
What is the conclusion of benevolent sexism based on Becker and Wright’s study?
Benevolent sexism increased perceptions that relations between men and women are fair and there’s no need to fight for women’s rights.
