Neosexism: Plus Ça Change, Plus C'est Pareil

TLDR

The study proposes a scale to measure neosexist beliefs, a new form of gender prejudice. The authors conducted two studies: a predictive model with 130 male students, and an evaluation of collective interest and neosexism among 149 male workers in a firm with an exhaustive affirmative action program. Results indicate that collective interest and old‑fashioned sexism influence neosexism, and that both neosexism and collective interest affect support for affirmative action and evaluations of women’s qualifications, leading to opposition to such programs.

Abstract

A scale designed to tap into a new type of gender prejudice, called neosexist beliefs, is proposed. Two studies investigating antecedents and consequences of neosexism were conducted. In the first study, a predictive model was tested with a sample of 130 male students. It was found, according to hypotheses, that considerations of collective interest (CI) and old-fashioned sexism had an impact on neosexism. However, only the latter and CI triggered opposition to affirmative action (AA). The second study evaluated the effects of CI and neosexism among a sample of 149 male workers employed in a firm where an exhaustive AA program was implemented. For example, it was found that support for the program in place and evaluations of women's qualifications were influenced both by neosexism and by CI. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.