Sex role and developmental evaluations in the just world

Abstract

The Just World Hypothesis indicates that individuals are evaluated in relation to the situation in which they are observed. This study examined the application of the equity relationship in Just World evaluations, and the extent of overt evaluative and covert behavioral sex-role-related biases. Males or females rewarded or punished and later rated members of the same or opposite sex who were seen in favorable or unfavorable circumstances. Subject—stimulus person dyad age (adult or 7 years old) was also varied. Results agreed with hypotheses derived from role, exchange, and developmental theory. As predicted, women used less equity than men, while both sexes tended to apply the equity relationship less in cross-sex pairs. Adults showed a covert discrimination favoring their own sex, while children showed a similar overt bias as well. Some suggestions are made for further research.