Abstract
Forenames serve as proxies for gender labels that activate gender stereotypes and gender socialization. Unlike rigid binary gender categories, they differ in the degree to which they are perceived as “masculine” or “feminine.” We examined the novel hypothesis that the ability of a forename to signal gender is associated with gender role behavior in women (n = 215) and men (n = 127; M = 19.32, SD = 2.11) as part of a larger study evaluating forenames used in resume research. Compared to individuals endorsing a “gender-strong” forename, those perceiving their forename as relatively “gender-weak” reported less gender-typical childhood social behavior and a weaker expression of gender-linked personality traits. Our findings suggest that forenames strengthen or weaken gender socialization, gender identification, and so contribute to the variable expression of gender role behavior within binary gender groups.
Highlights
A binary gender label at birth is a cultural proxy for the male or female appearance of external genitalia, a physical trait that usually corresponds to the sexual differentiation of brain structure and function proposed to support a male-typical or female-typical behavioral phenotype (Berenbaum and Beltz, 2016)
Higher femininity ratings of forenames were associated with higher scores on the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI)-Fem, r(342) = 0.25, p < 0.001, and lower scores on the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI), r(324) = −0.73, p < 0.001
Higher masculinity ratings of forenames were associated with higher scores on the BSRI-Masc, r(342) = 0.34, p < 0.001 and higher scores on the PSAI, r(324) = 0.73, p < 0.001
Summary
A binary gender label at birth is a cultural proxy for the male or female appearance of external genitalia, a physical trait that usually corresponds to the sexual differentiation of brain structure and function proposed to support a male-typical or female-typical behavioral phenotype (Berenbaum and Beltz, 2016). By directing attention to genderrelevant stimuli throughout development, gender schemas result in the selective encoding of information that defines the gendered-self and sustains the expression of genderlinked behavior even in the absence of external factors (Martin et al, 2002). Biological and cognitive-social theories propose similar behavioral phenotypes based on the binary gender group assignment at birth (e.g., males will be more aggressive, whereas females will be more sensitive).
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