The Asymmetrical Perception of Men and Women

Abstract

This study examines the individuation versus categorization of men and women. Several researchers have argued for structural status differences between men and women - men occupy societal positions of high status, and women positions of low status. This line of research predicts that male participants will individuate other men, but categorize women. Conversely, female participants will individuate men as well as women. In the present study, male and female participants were presented with eight stimulus persons, four men and four women, each described by four attributes. In addition, stimulus-category fit was manipulated such that the attributes were either stereotypical of the gender group they described or gender neutral. Information clustering in free recall and name-matching were main dependent measures. The results support the hypotheses and are discussed in terms of status differentials and contemporary theories of person perception.