Sex Roles

, Volume 3, Issue 3, pp 205–216 | Cite as

A methodological study of sex stereotypes

  • Margie L. Cowan
  • Barbara J. Stewart
Articles

Abstract

This methodological investigation of sex stereotypes employed three different instruments to collect sex stereotypes from 264 undergraduate students. The Adjective Check List and the Stereotype Questionnaire elicited different stereotypes, while an open-ended form elicited no stereotypic items. It was found that Ss reported visual imagery of specific persons while responding. In a second phase of the research, the stereotypic items obtained in the collection phase were marked on the appropriate instrument form for a male and female description. These forms with a set of multiple choice questions concerning such things as sex of the description, desirability, adjustment, and of the S's experience of visual imagery were given to 180 different Ss. The stereotypic items were found to convey reliable information as to judgment of the sex of the stimulus stereotypic items, however, the different instruments conveyed differential information as to sex of stimulus items, desirability, and adjustment of the instrument description. Visual imagery of Ss was found to be significantly related to correct judgment of sex of stimulus items and to high confidence in that judgment.

Keywords

Undergraduate Student High Confidence Reliable Information Multiple Choice Methodological Study 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Copyright information

© Plenum Publishing Corp 1977

Authors and Affiliations

  • Margie L. Cowan
    • 1
  • Barbara J. Stewart
    • 2
  1. 1.Psychology Service 452/116BVeterans Administration CenterWichita
  2. 2.Oklahoma State UniversityUSA

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