Linking female and male subtypes to situations: A range-of-situation-fit effect

Abstract

The perceived link of female and male subtypes to particular classes of common situations was examined. Building on gender-role theory [A. H. Eagly (1987) Sex Differences in Social Behavior: A Social Role Interpretation, Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum] it was hypothesized that female and male subtypes would differ in the range of situations which they are seen to match. In two studies using different sets of gender subtypes and situations, Ss (total N = 124, 100% white) assigned female and male subtypes to situations in which they would be comfortable. Results consistently showed that female subtypes, as compared to male subtypes, were allowed a broader range of situations in which they would interact comfortably. Similarly, situations were seen to match a broader range of female than of male subtypes. A two-mode clustering analysis of the assignment frequencies served to elucidate the perceived interconnections between gender subtypes and situations. The evidence from both studies suggests that gender stereotypes include information about distinctive patterns of subtype × situation relations. Implications for gender stereotype research are discussed.