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A more recent version of this article was published on [11-07-2011]

Sexism and Gender Inequality Across 57 Societies

  1. Mark J. Brandt⇓
  1. DePaul University
  1. Mark J. Brandt, DePaul University, Department of Psychology, 2219 North Kenmore Ave., Chicago, IL 60614 E-mail: mbrandt5{at}depaul.edu

Abstract

Theory predicts that individuals’ sexism serves to exacerbate inequality in their society’s gender hierarchy. Past research, however, has provided only correlational evidence to support this hypothesis. In this study, I analyzed a large longitudinal data set that included representative data from 57 societies. Multilevel modeling showed that sexism directly predicted increases in gender inequality. This study provides the first evidence that sexist ideologies can create gender inequality within societies, and this finding suggests that sexism not only legitimizes the societal status quo, but also actively enhances the severity of the gender hierarchy. Three potential mechanisms for this effect are discussed briefly.

Article Notes

  • The author declared that he had no conflicts of interest with respect to his authorship or the publication of this article.

  • Received February 1, 2011.
  • Accepted July 25, 2011.

This Article

  1. Published online before print October 10, 2011, doi: 10.1177/0956797611420445 Psychological Science 0956797611420445
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