Comparing Self-Stereotyping with Ingroup-Stereotyping and Outgroup-Stereotyping in Unequal-Status Groups: The Case of Gender

We compared self-stereotyping, ingroup-stereotyping, and outgroup-stereotyping, among members of high- and low-status groups. Because gender inequality is still present in society, we operationalized status in terms of gender. We considered the male (female) gender category to possess relatively high (low) status. As predicted on the basis of an extension of Mullen\u2019s model (1991), Italian men showed significant levels of outgroup-stereotyping, but no significant levels of self-stereotyping or ingroup-stereotyping. In contrast, Italian women showed significant levels of self-stereotyping, ingroup-stereotyping, and outgroup-stereotyping. Looked at differently, men showed significantly stronger outgroup-stereotyping than women, and women showed significantly stronger self-stereotyping than men. Women also showed marginally stronger ingroup-stereotyping than men. The stronger self-stereotyping among women was mediated by greater female ingroup identification