Competent agentic women are penalized via likability, and implicit biases best predict this backlash

Evidence

Benevolent prejudice is insidious and stealthy, operating beneath the social radar to undermine the progress of women, particularly those with ability and ambition – the very women Seyfried and Hendrick (1977) predicted would succeed. For example, in one study, applicants for management positions (either male or female) described themselves as competitive and gave strong examples of their leadership ability (Rudman & Glick, 2001). As in the past (Rudman, 1998), results showed that women risk backlash effects if they “act like a man.” Although women were rated as highly competent, men were viewed as more likable and, as a result, they were more likely to be hired. Moreover, people who scored higher on the implicit measure of gender stereotyping, the IAT, tended to dislike masterful women more; there were no effects for the explicit (selfreported) stereotyping measure. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that agentic women are rejected because they violate prescriptive stereotypes (i.e., are viewed as insufficiently nice) and implicate the importance of nonconscious gender beliefs as barriers to gender parity. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 764 (#expands, via linked claim)

From this perspective, to undermine gender hegemony, women need only present themselves as independent, competitive, and forceful creatures (i.e., “act like men”). Although this solution sounds simple, it has turned out to be untenable for women because agency is not only more expected of men, it is more accepted in men. For example, women who selfpromote, argue assertively, or defend themselves aggressively are viewed less favorably than identical male counterparts (see Rudman, 1998; Rudman & Fairchild, 2004, for reviews). Likewise, agentic women (but not men) are discriminated against when vying for leadership positions, even though agency is necessary for being viewed as competent and qualified (Rudman & Glick, 1999). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 756 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Nonconscious stereotypes drive backlash against competent women; Female agency is expected but punished in leadership roles; Implicit bias, not voiced attitudes, drives backlash against competent women (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Implicit but not explicit stereotyping predicts backlash against agentic women candidates #expands (0.95) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 764
• Agentic women face backlash penalties that identical male counterparts do not #expands (0.92) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 756