Wang Zhen, Zhao Li, Zuo Guoguo, Jetten Jolanda, Guan Jian
Department of Social Psychology, School of Sociology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
Centre for Cognitive and Brian Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
Arch Sex Behav. 2025 Mar;54(3):1181-1197. doi: 10.1007/s10508-024-03069-z. Epub 2025 Jan 30.
Positive stereotypes may elicit targets' negative reactions, but it is not well understood whether targets react differently to various levels of such stereotypes. Two studies examined targets' negative reactions to various levels of positive gender stereotypes. Chinese students were recruited as participants (N = 1204), who were randomly assigned to the somewhat, moderately, or extremely positive gender stereotype conditions or the control condition. Reactions to positive gender stereotypes were then measured. Results showed that both female and male participants who were exposed to positive gender stereotypes disliked the speaker stating such stereotypes more, experienced greater negative emotions, and perceived the speaker as more gender-prejudiced than those who were not exposed to such stereotypes. These negative reactions were more pronounced in female participants than in male participants. Furthermore, participants' negative reactions to different levels of positive gender stereotypes were similar, regardless of whether the stereotypes were somewhat, moderately, or extremely positive. These negative reactions elicited by positive gender stereotypes were mediated by both a sense of depersonalization and a sense of diminished autonomy. This research indicates positive gender stereotypes are like "sugar-coated bullets," appearing harmless ostensibly. However, even somewhat positive gender stereotypes may elicit targets' negative reactions, impairing interpersonal relations and perpetuating gender inequality under the radar.
积极的刻板印象可能会引发目标对象的负面反应，但对于目标对象对不同程度的此类刻板印象的反应是否存在差异，目前还没有得到很好的理解。两项研究考察了目标对象对不同程度的积极性别刻板印象的负面反应。招募中国学生作为参与者（N = 1204），他们被随机分配到有点、适度或极度积极的性别刻板印象条件组或对照组。然后测量对积极性别刻板印象的反应。结果表明，接触到积极性别刻板印象的女性和男性参与者比未接触此类刻板印象的参与者更不喜欢表达此类刻板印象的说话者，体验到更强烈的负面情绪，并认为说话者更具性别偏见。这些负面反应在女性参与者中比在男性参与者中更为明显。此外，无论刻板印象是有点、适度还是极度积极，参与者对不同程度的积极性别刻板印象的负面反应都是相似的。积极性别刻板印象引发的这些负面反应是由去个性化感和自主性降低感共同介导的。这项研究表明，积极的性别刻板印象就像“糖衣炮弹”，表面上看似无害。然而，即使是有点积极的性别刻板印象也可能引发目标对象的负面反应，损害人际关系，并在不知不觉中使性别不平等长期存在。
