The Legitimizing Role of Stereotypical Content for the Gender Pay Gap

Ana Karolyne Florencio Amorim, Andreza Conrado Conceição, Cicero Roberto Pereira, Emerson Araújo Do Bú

Abstract


Discrimination against women is widespread in contemporary societies, and the persistent wage gap for identical roles compared to men suggests that this bias is socially justified. We addressed this issue by proposing that individuals evoke gender stereotypes in a way that reinforces their tendency to reaffirm gender pay gaps. In two experiments, we analyzed how the mere act of evoking reasons for hiring someone produces the gender pay gap and whether stereotype-based justifications mediate this effect. In Study 1 (N = 95), we manipulated the gender of a candidate applying for a job position and identified that the simple act of justifying hiring influences the gender pay gap. In Study 2 (N = 302), participants evoked more stereotypes of competence for a male job applicant, and this evocation mediated the gender pay gap. In the discussion, we addressed the role of stereotype-based justification in gender disparity on critical decisions within work-relation contexts. The insights generated by this research program have important implications for understanding discrimination against women in the workplace and for the development of public policies aimed at promoting gender equality.

Keywords


Social Discrimination; Sexism; Social Inequality

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.18256/2175-5027.2024.v16i1.5170

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Copyright (c) 2024 Ana Karolyne Florencio Amorim

ISSN 2175-5027

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Este obra está licenciada com uma Licença Creative Commons Atribuição 4.0 Internacional.

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