INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES IN OVERT AND COVERT MEASURES OF SEXISM

The present research was conducted to examine individual differences i n responses to overt and covert measures of sexism. First, 25 women an d 16 men rated the negative content of sexist statements in order to c reate a covert and an overt measure of sexism. Next, an additional gro up of 35 men and 74 women responded to these measures in order to dete rmine the relationships between sex educational maturity, political pa rty affiliation, participation in a gender awareness course, willingne ss to help a woman in the future and covert and overt sexism. Main eff ects for sex of respondent, and enrollment in a gender awareness cours e were hypothesized such that men, and students not enrolled in a gend er awareness course would score higher than women, and students in a g ender awareness course on both measures with scores for the covert mea sure being highest. Additionally, sex by political party affiliation, sex by educational maturity, and sex by willingness to help a woman in the future interactions were hypothesized such that conservative men, men with less educational maturity, and men unwilling to help a woman in the future would score higher than women in each case. Once again for each interaction men's scores for the covert items were hypothesiz ed to be highest. Results obtained partially supported the hypotheses. Main effects for sex, and willingness to help a woman in the future, and a sex by enrollment in a gender awareness course interaction occur red. Results are discussed in terms of existing research and the lack of awareness of sexism in current society.