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Social comparison, self-stereotyping, and gender differences in self-construals
Serge Guimond1, Armand Chatard, Delphine Martinot
1Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Universite Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand, France. Serge.Guimond@srvpsy.univ-bpclermont.fr
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|March 16, 2006
Summary
Gender differences in self-construal are influenced by social comparison. Between-gender comparisons amplify these differences, while within-gender comparisons reduce them, impacting social dominance orientation.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Gender Studies
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
Background:
- Gender differences in self-construal are well-documented.
- Relational interdependence is typically higher in women, while independence/agency is higher in men.
- Social comparison processes may play a role in maintaining these gendered self-perceptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of social comparison in shaping gender differences in self-construal.
- To examine how different types of social comparison (within-gender vs. between-genders) affect self-construal.
- To explore the downstream effects of manipulated self-construal on social dominance orientation.
Main Methods:
- Four studies (N=461, N=301, N=169, N=278) utilized experimental designs.
- Participants engaged in within-gender, between-genders, or control social comparison conditions.
- Self-construal, social comparison, and social dominance orientation were measured.
Main Results:
- Women reported higher relational interdependence; men reported higher independence/agency.
- Within-gender comparison reduced gender differences in self-construal.
- Between-genders comparison amplified gender differences in both relational interdependence and independence/agency.
- Changes in self-construal influenced gender differences in social dominance orientation.
- In-group stereotyping mediated the effect of gender on relational self-construal, but not agentic self-construal.
Conclusions:
- Social comparison significantly moderates gender differences in self-construal.
- Between-gender social comparison reinforces traditional gender stereotypes.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for addressing gender disparities in social attitudes.