Value-Based Standards Guide Sexism Inferences for Self and Others

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Attitude Research

Background:

• Disagreements on sexism are common and consequential.
• Previous research on sexism judgments focused on perceiver characteristics, not comparative standards.
• Understanding the basis of sexism judgments is crucial for social and legal contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of personal values in determining perceptions of sexism.
• To extend existing frameworks by examining how individual moral values guide sexism evaluations.
• To identify the psychological mechanisms underlying differing conclusions about sexist behavior.

Main Methods:

• Three studies were conducted to examine the relationship between personal values and sexism judgments.
• Participants' personal standards for sexism and their guiding values were assessed.
• Behavioral evidence thresholds for inferring sexism and responses to sexist perpetrators were measured.

Main Results:

• Personal values regarding sexism were directly related to individuals' standards for their own and others' behavior.
• Value-based standards predicted the amount of behavioral evidence needed to infer sexism.
• Stringent value standards, not lenient ones, predicted anger and regulatory attempts toward sexist behavior.

Conclusions:

• Personal, value-based standards are a key determinant of sexism perceptions and judgments.
• These values influence how readily individuals infer sexism and their motivation to address it.
• Understanding these differing value systems can help reconcile disputes over what constitutes sexism.