Gender-based schematic processing of self-descriptive information

Abstract

This study tested Bem's hypothesis that assimilation of self-referent information is organized and guided by gender-based schemata for sex-typed persons, but not for those who are non-sex-typed. Introductory psychology students (109 females, 66 males) were categorized as sex-typed, cross-sex-typed, androgynous, or undifferentiated. Each subject was presented 144 trait descriptors via computer monitor and asked to indicate whether each was “like me”, or “not like me”. An equal number of the descriptors were masculine, feminine, and gender neutral in connotation, with half of each group positively and half negatively valenced. The prediction from gender schema theory was that sex-typed persons would process gender consistent information faster (shorter reaction time to say “me” or “not me”) than gender inconsistent information, the reverse would hold for the cross-sex-typed group, and that no differences would obtain for androgynous or undifferentiated subjects. Two methods for operationalizing a gender consistent versus a gender inconsistent response were tested with each offering support for sex-typed and andogynous subjects, and mixed support depending on subject's sex for cross-sex-typed persons. These results held across stimulus valence (positive and negative), suggesting that both socially desirable and undesirable characteristics are salient in processing gender information. Implications for possible structural organization of gender schemata are discussed.