Positively stereotyped traits become liabilities when mismatched to role requirements

Evidence

This decline in evaluation can take place toward members of groups whose overall stereotypes are predominantly negative, positive, or ambivalent. Positive stereotypical attributes - for example, the niceness ascribed to women - become a liability in some social roles. When a generally positive attribute such as niceness is mismatched to role requirements, perceivers suspect that this attribute would foster behavior inappropriate to the role. For example, a female prosecuting attorney may be devalued because her presumed niceness jeopardizes her success as a litigator. Similarly, positive qualities commonly ascribed to men, such as independence and assertiveness, can block their access to caretaking roles requiring interpersonally sensitive and nurturant qualities (see also Jackman, ch. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 195 (#expands, via linked claim)

This decline in evaluation can take place toward members of groups whose overall stereotypes are predominantly negative, positive, or ambivalent. Positive stereotypical attributes - for example, the niceness ascribed to women - become a liability in some social roles. When a generally positive attribute such as niceness is mismatched to role requirements, perceivers suspect that this attribute would foster behavior inappropriate to the role. For example, a female prosecuting attorney may be devalued because her presumed niceness jeopardizes her success as a litigator. Similarly, positive qualities commonly ascribed to men, such as independence and assertiveness, can block their access to caretaking roles requiring interpersonally sensitive and nurturant qualities (see also Jackman, ch. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 195 (#expands, via linked claim)

The role-incongruity analysis of prejudice encompasses Allport’s emphasis on negative attitudes toward groups by acknowledging that the overall evaluative content of a group’s stereotype can restrict the social roles for which group members are thought to be qualified. Social roles that offer prestige, status, income, love, and other outcomes will require many positive attributes; consequently, group stereotypes that are especially negative overall hinder access to a wide range of desirable roles because role-relevant positive attributes are absent from the stereotype. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 213 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Hierarchical rank determines which personality traits employers need in a worker — Samuel Bowles and Herbert Gintis, Schooling in Capitalist America:…, 900; Perceived role-mismatch lowers performance expectations for women leaders.; Trait valence is reversed by role context, not intrinsic to the trait. (+9 more)

Broader Connections

• Positive stereotyped traits become double-edged liabilities in incongruent roles #expands (0.97) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 195
• Positive stereotypes become evaluative liabilities when mismatched to a role’s demands #expands (0.96) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 195
• Negative stereotypes block access to desirable roles because those roles demand positive attributes. #complicates (0.75) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 213
• Advantaged groups face role-incongruity prejudice but rarely enter low-status roles #complicates (0.74) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 199