Transparent sexism scales lost their power as norms against bias rose

Evidence

A further limitation is the measure’s transparency, which affords contamination from social desirability bias. Not surprisingly, scores on the Attitudes Toward Women Scale have consistently decreased over time; indeed, the measure no longer shows appreciable variability in college student samples (Spence, 1999). To counter social desirability bias, researchers have developed more subtle instruments that tap antipathy toward women’s progress and the policies that support it (e.g., affirmative action). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 750 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

To counter social desirability bias, researchers have developed more subtle instruments that tap antipathy toward women’s progress and the policies that support it (e.g., affirmative action). Modeled after McConahay’s (1986) approach to assessing racism, the Modern Sexism Scale (Swim, Aiken, Hall, & Hunter, 1995) and the Neo-Sexism Scale (Tougas, Brown, Beaton, & Joly, 1995) assess opposition to feminist demands, including the belief that women are no longer discriminated against and therefore do not need affirmative action. Nonetheless, like the Attitudes Toward Women Scale, these instruments are more concerned with attitudes toward gender equality than attitudes toward women. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 751 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Transparent prejudice measures lose power as explicit bias declines socially — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 750; Modern sexism scales measure opposition to equality policies, not feelings about women — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 751; Standards of what counts as prejudice shift with prevailing norms — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1901 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• Transparent prejudice measures lose power as explicit bias declines socially #corroborates (0.95) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 750
• Repression of prejudice awareness backfires and leaves bias intact #complicates (0.75)
• Modern sexism scales measure opposition to equality policies, not feelings about women #complicates (0.72) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 751