Male and female participants were shown a video of a businesswoman discussing her general background and hobbies. The scripts and actress remained the same, but her dress and job changed. The sexiness manipulation had no effect on judgments of or emotions toward the receptionist. In contrast, the sexy manager was viewed as less competent as compared to her neutrally attired/more typically professionally dressed counterpart (wearing flat shoes, slacks, and a turtleneck). Participants rated the woman on her competence, and estimated her GPA and how selective her Alma Mater was. "Although various media directed toward women …encourage women to emphasize their sex appeal, our results suggest that women in high status occupations may have to resist this siren call to obtain the respect of their co-workers," the authors conclude.
This study is published in the December issue of Psychology of Women Quarterly. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article please contact journalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.
Psychology of Women Quarterly publishes primarily qualitative and quantitative research with substantive and theoretical merit, along with critical reviews, theoretical articles, and invited book reviews related to the psychology of women and gender. It is published on behalf of the Society for the Psychology of Women, Division 35 of the American Psychological Association.
Peter Glick is a professor of Psychology at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. He has numerous publications in psychology journals. Dr. Glick is available for media questions and interviews.
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Psychology of Women Quarterly