Not just PC

[andrewducker]

There's some compelling research evidence arguing that these concerns are not mispaced or frivolous. Remember those children in Chapter 4 who thought women would be better wudemakers when they heard a description of the fictional job of wudgemaking that used "she" instead of "he" (Hyde, 1984a). Parallel results are found for women undergraduates reading job descriptions using masculine pronouns (Stericker, 1981). In Chapter 4 we also saw that high school seniors were more likely to apply for gender-atypical jobs (as linewomen and as male telephone operators) when the ads avoided fender-biased language (Bem & Bem, 1973). Similarly, more students who read the "Ethical Standards of Psychologists," altered to use masculine-typed language, thought psychology was a less attractive career option for women compared to undergraduates who read gender-neutral versions (Briere & Lanktree, 1983). These studies combine to suggest that language can shape our perceptions of the gender-appropriateness of occupations — certainly not frivolous stuff!

Gender biases in language can even influence how women perform on comprehension and memory tests. Women remembered more of a science fiction story when it was read using unbiased language compared to masculine forms (Hamilton & Henley, 1982). A similar outcome was found when women were tested 48 hours after reading essays (Crawford & English, 1984).

— Janice Y. Yoder, Women and Gender: Transforming psychology

Comments

[autodidactic.livejournal.com]

I'd always suspected this was the case.

A.

[kpollock.livejournal.com]

Weird. Actually, probably not weird. I think it could also depend on the person reading it and their desire to 'fit in' or lack of concern on the same topic - women do tend to be more conformist. (the thinkign behind thi sis that if the job description keeps saying 'he' you may not identify with it, or find it less relevant).

has anybody done the same experiment for men?