Gender stereotypes, class, and race in attributions of blame for women's gender‐linked mistreatment

Bibliographic Data

ID21739569
AuthorsJessica Kiebler (0000-0002-0031-8313, University of Michigan, corresponding author), A J Stewart (0000-0003-4736-0815, University of Michigan)
Year2022
Volume22
Issue1
Pages351-377
Publication date2022-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnalyses of Social Issues and Public Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1529-7489 • E-ISSN: 1530-2415
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/asap.12299
OpenAlexW4206632815
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited74

In two survey experiments, three types of gender‐based mistreatment, social class and race of the target, and gender‐linked stereotypes of respectability (sexualization and irresponsibility) were assessed in relation to victim blame attribution. U.S. participants (Study 1: N = 416; Study 2: N = 300) read a vignette about a woman described as working‐ or middle‐class, as Black or white, and as having experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or incivility in the workplace. Based on the ambiguity of the intent of the perpetrator, we anticipated that incivility would result in more victim blame; this was confirmed. Additionally, in both studies, perceived victim respectability mediated the relationship between class and blame. The working‐class woman was seen as less respectable compared to the middle‐class woman, and this was associated with greater blame attribution for mistreatment. Results confirm the importance of more attention to social class in research on perceptions of women exposed to mistreatment, as well as interventions to mitigate victim‐blaming

Attribution · Blame · Harassment · Vignette · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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