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Research suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin and pop star Taylor Swift share a unique distinction as two of the world’s most influential figures, as identified by Forbes. While Putin ascended to prominence through political power, Swift has garnered fame and wealth as a celebrated entertainer, reflecting diverging paths to influence based on societal perceptions of gender.
New findings published in the journal Psychological Science highlight how entrenched gender stereotypes shape the public’s view of power and status. Traditionally, men are often associated with power, seen as having control over resources, while women tend to be linked with status, defined as earning respect from others.
Lead researcher Charlotte Townsend, Ph.D., noted that her team observed a striking contrast between Forbes’ lists of powerful individuals and powerful women. “We aimed to investigate whether the disparity reflects broader societal gendered perceptions,” she explained.
Gender Disparities in Recognition
In Forbes’ recent “World’s Most Powerful People” list, only five out of 75 entries are women, whereas 99 women, including Barbie as a cultural icon, are featured in the separate “World’s Most Powerful Women” list.
Townsend, along with fellow researchers from Berkeley Haas and Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business, conducted experiments to assess how men and women are viewed in relation to power and status. Their findings revealed that male participants rated men higher in power but lower in status, while women received higher status ratings compared to men. The results indicated a tendency for men to be recognized for their powerful roles, while women were more acknowledged for their status-driven achievements.
The study utilized Forbes’ lists from previous years to analyze perceptions of power and status, adopting specific criteria to evaluate authority and societal admiration among participants.
Media Attention Trends
Additionally, the researchers analyzed media coverage and social media followings of the individuals from Forbes’ lists, revealing a trend where powerful men attracted significantly more media mentions and followers than their female counterparts. Conversely, women characterized by high status had greater public visibility on media platforms than men who also held high status.
These findings resonate with existing research indicating that societal biases often shape people’s perceptions, leading to selective acknowledgment of individuals that confirm prevailing stereotypes.
Ingrained Stereotyping
To assess whether these gender biases extend to lesser-known individuals, the researchers utilized images from Fortune’s “40 Under 40 Finance List” and applied implicit association testing to a new group of participants. The results reinforced the notion that men are typically associated with power, while women continue to be aligned with status, indicating that these stereotypes are deeply embedded in societal views.
Self-Perceptions and Gender Dynamics
The research also explored self-perception, showing that women often identify with status more than power. When discussing their own positions, women reported feeling less powerful than men, yet expressed a desire for both power and status similarly across genders. This suggests that while women may not completely shy away from pursuing power, they may consciously navigate societal expectations and potential backlash associated with it.
The Impact of Backlash on Ambition
Previous studies have shown that women seeking power often experience negative repercussions due to gender norms. Mishra pointed out that women perceived as pursuing power face greater backlash compared to those identified as seeking status. “Women aiming for power can be seen as violating expectations of femininity,” she noted, emphasizing that even with increased leadership opportunities, society’s perception of power remains heavily masculinized.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, researchers speculate on how these dynamics will unfold, particularly in light of Vice President Kamala Harris’s candidacy. “Harris may be seen as less aggressive in her ambition, potentially reducing backlash compared to candidates like Hillary Clinton, who campaigned assertively for her position,” Mishra suggested.
While both power and status play critical roles in social hierarchies, their implications differ significantly. Kray emphasized that status is often more precarious and subject to public perception of fairness and kindness, which can restrict individuals’ ability to leverage their influence effectively. This reality reinforces the stereotype that women’s power is confined to respect, whereas men’s power encompasses tangible control over resources.
The study, primarily involving U.S. college students and adults, indicates a pressing need for ongoing examination of these enduring stereotypes to achieve genuine gender equality across societal dimensions.
More information: Charlotte H. Townsend et al., “Not All Powerful People Are Created Equal: An Examination of Gender and Pathways to Social Hierarchy Through the Lens of Social Cognition,” Psychological Science (2024). DOI: 10.1177/09567976241260251
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