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Age and Gender Stereotypes: New Challenges in a Changing Workplace and Workforce
Author(s) -
DeArmond Sarah,
Tye Mary,
Chen Peter Y.,
Krauss Autumn,
Apryl Rogers D.,
Sintek Emily
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.822
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1559-1816
pISSN - 0021-9029
DOI - 10.1111/j.0021-9029.2006.00100.x
Subject(s) - psychology , workforce , adaptability , social psychology , developmental psychology , management , political science , law , economics
The current research investigated age and gender stereotypes in relation to adaptive performance. Using methods similar to those used in Schein's studies (1973, 1975), 496 undergraduate students rated 1 of 7 targets on 6 dimensions of adaptive performance. All of the targets varied in age (25, 40, or 55 years) and gender, except one that was age and gender neutral. The 7 th served as a reference group and was an age‐ and gender‐neutral target. Results showed that older targets were perceived as less adaptable across most of the dimensions of adaptability. Further, men and women were perceived differently, but differences were consistent with many prevalent gender stereotypes. Finally, female participants tended to rate all targets more favorably than male participants. Implications for human resources management and future research on stereotypes at work are discussed.