'Benevolent sexism' is not an oxymoron and has insidious consequences for women

October 4, 2011 in Psychology & Psychiatry

Recent debate about whether acts of "benevolent sexism" harm women are addressed in a new commentary published in Psychology of Women Quarterly.

"The truth about sexism seems stranger than fiction," wrote authors Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske, about their investigations into the nature of sexism. are not exclusively hostile, but include an "odd…conjunction of what at first seemed inherently incompatible: subjective affection as a form of prejudice," which they labeled "benevolent sexism."

Glick and Fiske have shown the negative consequences of attitudes that idealize as pure, moral, pedestal-worthy objects of men's adoration, protection, and provision. People who endorse benevolent sexism feel positively toward women, but only when women conform to highly traditional ideals about "how women should be."

Benevolent sexism motivates chivalrous acts that many women may welcome, such as a man's offer to lift heavy boxes or install the new computer. While the path to benevolent sexism may be paved with good intentions, it reinforces the assumption that men possess greater competence than women, whom benevolent sexists view as wonderful, but weak and fragile.

The authors developed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI), which measures both Hostile Sexism and Benevolent Sexism, nearly 20 years ago. Since its inception, thousands of people in dozens of countries have taken the ASI.

Cross-national comparisons show that hostile and benevolent sexism go hand-in-hand (that is, nations that endorse hostile sexism also endorse benevolent sexism). The beliefs work together because benevolent sexism "rewards" women when they fulfill traditional roles whereas hostile sexism punishes women who do not toe the line, thereby working together to maintain traditional relations. In other words, act sweet and they'll pat you on the head; assert yourself and they'll put you in your place.

Numerous studies by various researchers document benevolent sexism's insidious effects. For example, when led to expect benevolently sexist help in a masculine workplace, women became unsure of themselves, got distracted, and consequently performed poorly.

More information: The article "Ambivalent Sexism Revisited" in Psychology of Women Quarterly is available free for a limited time at: pwq.sagepub.com/co… ull.pdf+html

An interview with the authors of the article, Peter Glick and Susan T. Fiske, conducted by Dr. Jan Yoder, editor of Psychology of Women Quarterly is available at: pwq.sagepub.com/co… 30/suppl/DC1

Provided by SAGE Publications

5 /5 (4 votes)  

Filter


Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.


Display comments: newest first

ArtflDgr
Oct 04, 2011

Rank: 1.3 / 5 (3)
People who endorse benevolent sexism feel positively toward women, but only when women conform to highly traditional ideals about "how women should be."

funny...

so if i share my wealth and time with someone..
IF they are a woman, its ok to ignore social reciprocation
but otherwise, its ok...

ie... unless you give women lots of free things with no strings, they become confused...

but the other solution which is what they GET, is no one gives them ANYTHING or is nice to them AT ALL...

for social scientists they are pretty ignorant as to things... not to mention that men get confused that same way when women give them sex... duh... or should we cure that with women just giving that away randomly too regardless who asks? or nothing?
hush1
Oct 05, 2011

Rank: 1 / 5 (1)
Researchers: Your work lies before you;

Today a girl of age three said:
"When I grow up I want to be a boy."

And your work starts at ages you never before imagined.
danlgarmstrong
Oct 10, 2011

Rank: 5 / 5 (2)
The idea here is very simple. When women act in the perceived stereotype of a 'good' woman, she is rewarded by 'benevolent sexist' behavior of others. Works the same way for men. A 'good' man is expected to be a 'gentleman', helpful and chivalrous towards women. If they are not, they get negative feedback by 'polite' society anyway. There are social roles that are defined, and pressure exerted by society to conform to these roles, and reward given when acting within the role. Confusion comes when the 'reward' is not received, according to the report. If there is a 'cure' for this, perhaps it should be a recognition that gender is not binary, and less attention paid to gender roles, and more towards an individuals character and achievements.
Rank 5 /5 (4 votes)
Relevant PhysicsForums posts

More news stories

Motion quotient: IQ predicted by ability to filter motion (w/ video)

A brief visual task can predict IQ, according to a new study. This surprisingly simple exercise measures the brain's unconscious ability to filter out visual movement. The study shows that individuals whose ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created 4 hours ago | popularity 4.8 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Anxious men fare worse during job interviews, study finds

Nervous about that upcoming job interview? You might want to take steps to reduce your jitters, especially if you are a man.

Psychology & Psychiatry created 5 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Are kids who take music lessons different from other kids?

(Medical Xpress)—Research by U of T Mississauga psychology professor Glenn Schellenberg reveals that two key personality traits – openness-to-experience and conscientiousness—predict better than IQ ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created 7 hours ago | popularity 3 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Parents can help preteens with abduction concerns

Parents naturally are concerned for their children's safety, particularly when there is news of a child abduction that happens close to home. Finding the balance between emotions and the "teachable moment" as parents talk ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created 7 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Ireland needs real-time database for teen and young adult suicides

A new report on suicide in Ireland shows that suicide cases experienced a significant number (and intensity) of life events in the 6 months prior to their death.

Psychology & Psychiatry created 7 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0


Diabetes' genetic underpinnings can vary based on ethnic background, studies say

Ethnic background plays a surprisingly large role in how diabetes develops on a cellular level, according to two new studies led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Scientists discover cinnamon compounds' potential ability to prevent Alzheimer's

Cinnamon: Can the red-brown spice with the unmistakable fragrance and variety of uses offer an important benefit? The common baking spice might hold the key to delaying the onset of –– or warding off ...

Ferrets, pigs susceptible to H7N9 avian influenza virus

Chinese and U.S. scientists have used virus isolated from a person who died from H7N9 avian influenza infection to determine whether the virus could infect and be transmitted between ferrets. Ferrets are often used as a mammalian ...

Study reveals new mechanism for estrogen suppression of liver lipid synthesis

By discovering the new mechanism by which estrogen suppresses lipid synthesis in the liver, UC Irvine endocrinologists have revealed a potential new approach toward treating certain liver diseases.

Death rates decline for advanced heart failure patients, but outcomes are still not ideal

UCLA researchers examining outcomes for advanced heart-failure patients over the past two decades have found that, coinciding with the increased availability and use of new therapies, overall mortality has decreased and sudden ...

MRI-based measurement helps predict vascular disease in the brain

Aortic arch pulse wave velocity, a measure of arterial stiffness, is a strong independent predictor of disease of the vessels that supply blood to the brain, according to a new study published in the June issue the journal ...