Modern Sexism And Gender Stereotypes
Swim et. al (1995) created a study that focuses on gender bias, specifically by looking at gender attitudes. Modern sexism involves subtle discrimination and prejudice. This scale is termed the Modern Sexism Scale (MSS). There is no explicit age group this assessment is designed for. However, keeping in mind limitations of child regarding reading and comprehension, this scale is best suited for young adults and older. This assessment is free to everyone and has no special requirements for who can administer this assessment, as only a Level A qualification is needed to score and interpret the assessment. This assessment consists of eight items (See Appendix), measured on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
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The MSS can be classified as a typical response, group, non-standardized, criterion-referenced score, objective personality test. This assessment is usually administered non-verbally. It is classified as a typical response test because it measures the examinees’ usual behavior and characteristics. It is designed to be able to administer to more than one person at the same time, making it a group test. While it was developed by psychologists, it does not come with instruction on how to administer the assessment nor standardized scores with a reference group. The scores can range from zero to forty. There is not explicit criterion saying what a certain score means. Generally, the higher your score on the assessment, the more sexist your attitude is toward women. The MSS uses selected response items, making this an objective personality test.
This assessment is not standardized, so there is not a norm sample.
However, there were similarities between the participant groups used in creating this assessment. Several studies Swim et. al (1995) were used to create this assessment. Between each of the studies, there were some similar sample demographics. Each study involved more females completing the study than males, mainly European-American participants, and college aged students. Based on these demographics, the assessment’s characteristics could have limited generalizability to other groups. It should also be noted, men had a higher mean item score (M=2.63) on the MSS than Women (M=2.14), showing men, on average, are more likely to endorse sexist …show more content…
items.
There are alternative forms of this assessment. One such alternative is the Neosexism Scale (Tougas et. al, 1999). This scale serves a similar purpose to the MSS, but has a focus on reaction to affirmative action policies. Another scale used to assess subtle sexist attitudes towards women is the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) (Glick et. al, 1996). ASI has two factors- hostile and benevolent sexism. The Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS) is used to assess biased attitudes towards gender (Spence et. al, 1973). Although, this scale assessment blatant sexism, whereas the MSS assesses subtle sexism.
Reliability and Validity
Swim et.
al (1995) found two reliability coefficients (.75 and .84) by assessing the internal consistency of the MSS is two different studies. There was no discussion on why a differences in reliability coefficients was found. The second study was conducted at a different time period, included a few more participants, and less questionnaire items since a factor analysis in the first study had taken out items that did not factor into the Modern Stress Scale.
There is validity evidence based on internal structure given for this assessment.
Swim et. al (1995) also conducted a principal component factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to confirm a difference between old-fashioned sexism and modern sexism. Researchers included items that endorsed old-fashioned sexism and modern sexism. All old fashion sexism items loaded on to the old fashion sexism factor. Modern sexism items that loaded into the old fashioned sexism factor or equally fit into both the old fashion sexism factor and modern sexism factor, were eliminated. Eight items assessing modern sexism were left. The initial factor analysis verified the difference between these two forms of sexism. A confirmatory factor analysis found MSS to have three components: denial of continuing discrimination, resentment about special favors for women, and opposition toward women’s
demands.
The MSS can be classified as a typical response, group, non-standardized, criterion-referenced score, objective personality test. This assessment is usually administered non-verbally. It is classified as a typical response test because it measures the examinees’ usual behavior and characteristics. It is designed to be able to administer to more than one person at the same time, making it a group test. While it was developed by psychologists, it does not come with instruction on how to administer the assessment nor standardized scores with a reference group. The scores can range from zero to forty. There is not explicit criterion saying what a certain score means. Generally, the higher your score on the assessment, the more sexist your attitude is toward women. The MSS uses selected response items, making this an objective personality test.
This assessment is not standardized, so there is not a norm sample.
However, there were similarities between the participant groups used in creating this assessment. Several studies Swim et. al (1995) were used to create this assessment. Between each of the studies, there were some similar sample demographics. Each study involved more females completing the study than males, mainly European-American participants, and college aged students. Based on these demographics, the assessment’s characteristics could have limited generalizability to other groups. It should also be noted, men had a higher mean item score (M=2.63) on the MSS than Women (M=2.14), showing men, on average, are more likely to endorse sexist …show more content…
items.
There are alternative forms of this assessment. One such alternative is the Neosexism Scale (Tougas et. al, 1999). This scale serves a similar purpose to the MSS, but has a focus on reaction to affirmative action policies. Another scale used to assess subtle sexist attitudes towards women is the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) (Glick et. al, 1996). ASI has two factors- hostile and benevolent sexism. The Attitudes Toward Women Scale (AWS) is used to assess biased attitudes towards gender (Spence et. al, 1973). Although, this scale assessment blatant sexism, whereas the MSS assesses subtle sexism.
Reliability and Validity
Swim et.
al (1995) found two reliability coefficients (.75 and .84) by assessing the internal consistency of the MSS is two different studies. There was no discussion on why a differences in reliability coefficients was found. The second study was conducted at a different time period, included a few more participants, and less questionnaire items since a factor analysis in the first study had taken out items that did not factor into the Modern Stress Scale.
There is validity evidence based on internal structure given for this assessment.
Swim et. al (1995) also conducted a principal component factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to confirm a difference between old-fashioned sexism and modern sexism. Researchers included items that endorsed old-fashioned sexism and modern sexism. All old fashion sexism items loaded on to the old fashion sexism factor. Modern sexism items that loaded into the old fashioned sexism factor or equally fit into both the old fashion sexism factor and modern sexism factor, were eliminated. Eight items assessing modern sexism were left. The initial factor analysis verified the difference between these two forms of sexism. A confirmatory factor analysis found MSS to have three components: denial of continuing discrimination, resentment about special favors for women, and opposition toward women’s
demands.