Date of Award
Spring 2010
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Crystal L. Hoyt
Abstract
The effect of exposure to female role models with gender specific attributes was examined in two studies. In Study 1 both women and men were presented with one of eight stimuli (role model gender: male or female; role model legitimacy attributes: organizational high, organizational low, social high, or social low). Results demonstrated women’s higher preference for female role models and vis‐à‐vis. Regression analyses demonstrated women’s preference for role models in general while men only preferred socially legitimate role models. In Study 2 both participants and role model exposure were limited to only women. Additionally a stereotype threat manipulation was added.
Participants were presented with one of four conditions (stereotype threat: stereotype threat or androgynous identity threat; role model legitimacy attributes: organizationally high, socially high). Results generally demonstrated interactions between stereotype threatening condition and role model legitimacy attributes such that under androgynous identity stereotype‐threatening condition led to higher self‐perceptions.
Recommended Citation
Innella, Audrey N., "What counts? : legitimizing female role models" (2010). Honors Theses. 174.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/174