The effect of essentialist gender views and gender-specific system justification on attitudes toward using sexist language

Date

2023-7

Author

Timuroğulları, Merve

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This thesis explored the interplay between gender-related constructs and attitudes toward sexist language through three studies. Study 1 probed the effects of gender, hostile and benevolent sexism, gender-specific system justification, and essentialist gender views in predicting attitudes toward sexist language and unveiled the unique roles of essentialist gender views and gender-specific system justification in predicting attitudes toward sexist language, extending beyond the contributions of gender and sexism, while men displaying higher levels of each variable. Study 2 manipulated system stability and found that perceived changes in the gender system indirectly influenced attitudes toward sexist language by heightening gender-specific system justification. Study 3 exhibited the indirect effect of exposure to scientific evidence of neuroanatomical gender differences on attitudes toward sexist language through its impact on essentialist gender views. These findings underscore the role of gender-specific system justification and essentialist gender views in predicting attitudes toward sexist language, which could be influenced by perceived changes in the gender system and exposure to scientific evidence of neuroanatomical gender differences. The studies provide a unique perspective on the manifestation and preservation of sexism in Turkish, highlighting the role of prevailing embedded ideologies in challenging and rectifying sexist language. The limitations incorporate an imbalance in demographic representation and built-in challenges with online experiments. Future research should strive for broad and varied samples and authentic article formats. This work accentuates the multi-faceted nature of forms and extensions of gender-biased views and attitudes and endeavors to foster more egalitarian social systems for all.

Subject Keywords

Sexist Language, Essentialist Gender Views, Gender-Specific System Justification, Sexism

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/104472

Collections

Graduate School of Social Sciences, Thesis