Gender and Social Hierarchies

Gender and Social Hierarchies offers a fresh and coherent picture of applied research from within social psychology on the intricate relationship between gender and social status. It comprises a collection of innovative approaches which seek to understand the pervasiveness of status asymmetry between gender categories. Drawing upon recent theoretical advances in gender psychology, the book provides tools for developing practical and political recommendations to address and resolve status inequality today. Each chapter examines a different aspect of the impact that gender-based social hierarchies have on people's lives. Part One explores the consequences of gender stereotypes in school, higher education, and in professional settings. The struggles faced by women in the workplace are discussed in Part Two, featuring topics such as work-life balance, the 'glass cliff', and the lack of support for affirmative action. Part Three is devoted to the antecedents and consequences of gender-based forms of prejudice, such as discrimination against gay men, and against women within cultural minorities. The book concludes with some practical suggestions for working towards lasting and beneficial change. Gender and Social Hierarchies will appeal to scholars and students across the social sciences and offers important insights to practitioners and policy-makers.

Klea Faniko is Senior Researcher, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland. Fabio Lorenzi-Cioldi is Full Professor of Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland. Oriane Sarrasin is Postdoctoral Researcher, NCCR LIVES, Institute of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Eric Mayor is Senior Researcher and Lecturer, Institute of Work and Organizational Psychology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

1. Introduction and overview Belle Derks and Naomi Ellemers Part I: The Consequences of Gender Stereotypes 2. Sexism and the gendering of professional aspirations Lavinia Gianettoni & Edith Guilley 3. How gender stereotypes of academic abilities contribute to the maintenance of gender hierarchy in higher education Catherine Verniers, Virginie Bonnot, Céline Darnon, Benoît Dompnier & Delphine Martinot 4. Development of physical activity levels of girls and boys in early school years: A psychosocial perspective Boris Cheval, Aina Chalabaev, & Julien Chanal 5. The impact of gender stereotypes in patient-physician interactions Valérie Carrard & Marianne Schmid Mast Part II: Women's Struggles in the Workplace 6. The effects of stereotypes of women's performance in male-dominated hierarchies: stereotype threat activation and reduction through role models Ioana Latu & Marianne Schmid Mast 7. When meritocracy opposes quota policy: How education and policy strength impact opinions about affirmative action Klea Faniko, Fabio Lorenzi-Cioldi, Paolo Ghisletta, Siri Øyslebø Sørensen, Erjona Manushi, Fiorela Shalsi & Marion Chipeaux 8. Refining the conditions and causes of the glass cliff: Hostility, signalling change, or solving the crisis? Clara Kulich, Vincenzo Iacoviello, & Fabio Lorenzi-Cioldi 9. Work-life balance vulnerabilities and resources for women in Switzerland: results from a national study Sarah D. Stauffer, Christian Maggiori, Claire Johnston, Shékina Rochat, & Jérôme Rossier Part III Gender-Related Prejudice 10. A Model of gender prejudice, power and discrimination: how hierarchy-enhancing factors predominate over hierarchy-attenuating factors Emmanuelle P. Kleinlogel & Joerg Dietz 11. Women's endorsement of sexist beliefs directed towards the self and towards other women in general Regula Zimmermann & Pascal M. Gygax 12. Gender differences in the acceptance of the Muslim headscarf Oriane Sarrasin, Nicole Fasel, & Eva G.T.Green 13. Masculinity and sexual prejudice: A matter of men's need to differentiate themselves from women and gay men Jacques Berent, Juan M. Falomir-Pichastor, & Marion Chipeaux 14. Conclusion: From research to action Brigitte Mantilleri