Tutorial 9 - Article 1 - Gender Stereotypes

Question 1

What do stereotypes about genders cause?

Answer 1

They do not only describe typical differences, but also prescribe how men and women should behave or are expected to behave

Question 2

What are stereotypes?

Answer 2

Generalized expectations and beliefs regarding a specific social group

Question 3

How do men and women differ in common stereotypes?

Answer 3

Men have more agency, women have more communality. Therefore, men focus more on performance, work and competence, while women focus more on care, family and warmth

Question 4

Is there a kernell of truth in gender stereotypes?

Answer 4

While men and women do differ in personality and biology to some extent, a great deal of common stereotypes are prescribed due to gender norms imposed and upheld by society and its structural

Question 5

How can gender stereotypes be helpful?

Answer 5

May be helpful when there is a need to make a quick estimate of how unkonwn individuals are likely to behave

Question 6

How can gender stereotypes be harmful?

Answer 6

They generalize to individuals, and instead of judging individuals we rely on stereotypes to define and predict their actions, behavior and capabilities

Question 7

What impact do stereotypes have on how we judge and evaluate performance?

Answer 7

In many contexts, the performance of one gender is devalued compared to the other, even if scores or results are the same

Question 8

In what three stages do we use stereotypes to make sense of the world?

Answer 8

1) We use cognitive functions to predict the most likely behavior of others
2) We communicate the stereotypes both directly and implicitly
3) We tend to approve stereotypical behavior and devalue counter-stereotypical behavior

Question 9

What is the consequence of this information -> communication -> evaluation cycle

Answer 9

We tend to keep up and uphold the stereotypes in society, even if we don’t actively want to

Question 10

How do we deal with information regarding stereotypes?

Answer 10

Stereotypes affect how we attend to, interpet and remember information aobut ourselves and others, mostly in line with stereotypes and disregarding information that is not in line

Question 11

What two ways contribute to stereotype reproduction regarding gender stereotypes?

Answer 11

1) Enacting gender stereotypes
2) Neglecting impact of stereotypes

Question 12

What are motivational concerns for enacting gender stereotypes?

Answer 12

1) Being a good group member
2) Believing the world is just
3) Acting effectively (motivation to accomodate to existing expectations)

Question 13

What are motivational concerns for neglecting the impact of stereotypes?

Answer 13

1) Advantaged: discomfort of privilege (reluctance to acknowledge)
2) Disadvantaged: need to retain hope (don’t want to believe it would determine important outcomes in life)

Question 14

What are the 5 key steps to changing gender stereotype behavior/consequences?

Answer 14

1) Acknowledge the pervasive nature of the cognitive and motivational functions of gender stereotypes
2) Lift the burden of proof from those who may be disadvantaged
3) Educate people about the descriptive and prescriptive nature of stereotypes
4) Support employees in reconciling steroetypical male and female role expectations
5) Reconsider and re-evaluate the nature of different social roles and job types