Targets' and perceivers' occupation and gender as determinants of social judgments

This study investigated how inferences are influenced by the targets' and subjects' occupation and gender. Two hundred and forty male and female subjects enrolled in studies geared towards traditionally feminine or masculine occupations were presented with a description of one of four targets: A male target studying a traditionally masculine occupation, a male target studying a traditionally feminine occupation, a female target studying a traditionally masculine occupation and a female target studying a traditionally feminine occupation. Subjects made inferences about the femininity and masculinity of the targets' traits, roles and physical appearance (three components of the gender stereotype). Results indicated that both occupational information and the gender of the target were related to the inferences. However, their relative importance depended upon the particular gender component. Additionally, subjects studying a gender-counterstereotypic field showed less stereotypic inferences.