The Political Psychology of Women in U.S. Politics

265 Pages·2016·1.104 MB·English

by  Angela L. Bos, Monica C. Schneider

THE POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY
OF WOMEN IN U.S. POLITICS
This book is a fascinating exploration of cutting edge research on the many ways that
gender infl uences political participation and preferences—it’s a must read for anyone with
an interest in the intersection of gender and politics.
Linda J. Skitka, Social and Political Psychologist,
University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
The Political Psychology of Women in U.S. Politics is a comprehensive resource for students,
researchers, and practitioners interested in women and politics. Highly original and draw-
ing from the best available research in psychology and political science, this book is
designed to summarize and extend interdisciplinary research that addresses how and why
men and women differ as citizens, as political candidates, and as offi ceholders. The chapters
in this volume are focused on differences in the political behavior and perceptions of
men and women, yet the chapters also speak to broader topics within American poli-
tics—including political socialization, opinion formation, candidate emergence, and voting
behavior. Broadly, this volume addresses the causes and consequences of women’s under-
representation in American government.
This book is the ideal resource for students and researchers of all levels interested in
understanding the unique political experiences of diverse women, and the importance of
rectifying the problem of gender disparities in American politics.
Angela L. Bos is Associate Professor of Political Science at the College of Wooster. Her
teaching and research in U.S. politics is focused in the areas of women and politics, political
psychology, media and politics, political parties and elections, and research methods.
Monica C. Schneider is Associate Professor of Political Science at Miami University
in Oxford, Ohio. She studies gender and racial stereotypes in American politics, and the
gender gap in ambition. She is also passionate about the advancement of women in the
academy and improving outcomes for undergraduates.
Routledge Studies in Political Psychology—4
Edited by Howard Lavine
University of Minnesota
Advisory Board: Ted Brader, University of Michigan; Eugene Borgida, University
of Minnesota; Marc Ross, Bryn Mawr College and Linda Skitka, University of
Illinois, Chicago
Routledge Studies in Political Psychology was developed to publish books represent-
ing the widest range of theoretical, methodological and epistemological approaches
in political psychology. The series is intended to expand awareness of the creative
application of psychological theory within the domain of politics and foster
deeper appreciation of the psychological roots of political behavior.
1 The Many Faces of Tolerance
Attitudes towards Diversity in Poland
Ewa A. Golebiowska
2 Emotions in Confl ict
Inhibitors and Facilitators of Peace Making
Eran Halperin
3 Fox News and American Politics
How Television News Shapes Political Views and Behaviors
Dan Cassino
4 The Political Psychology of Women in U.S. Politics
Edited by Angela L. Bos and Monica C. Schneider
THE POLITICAL
PSYCHOLOGY OF
WOMEN IN U.S.
POLITICS
Edited by Angela L. Bos
and Monica C. Schneider
First published 2017
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2017 Taylor & Francis
The right of Angela L. Bos and Monica C. Schneider to be identifi ed as
the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their individual
chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation
without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalog record for this book has been requested
ISBN: 978-1-138-68323-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-68324-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978–1-315-54468-7 (ebk)
Typeset in Bembo
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
CONTENTS
List of Figures ix
List of Tables x
Acknowledgements xi
List of Contributors xiii
1 Studying the Political Effects of Gender Using
a Psychology Lens 1
A ngela L. Bos and Monica C. Schneider
PART I
Women as Citizens 11
Gender Socialization 13
2 Gender and the Socialization of Party Identifi cation 15
Z oe M. Oxley
3 Promoting Adolescent Girls’ Civic Engagement
and Activism 34
B ritney G Brinkman
4 The Gender Gap in Public Opinion: Exploring Social
Role Theory as an Explanation 51
M ary-Kate Lizotte
vi Contents
Gender Gaps in Public Opinion, Public Policy,
and Political Action 71
5 Economic Inequality and the Gendered Politics
of Redistribution 73
H eather E. Bullock and Harmony A. Reppond
6 Political Consciousness and Gender Collective Action:
A Case and Place for Self-Objectifi cation 93
R achel Calogero
7 New Directions at the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity,
and Gender 111
C hristina E. Bejarano
PART II
Women as Candidates 129
Gender and Political Ambition 131
8 Gender Differences in Political Ambition 133
K ristin Kanthak
9 Women’s Decisions to Run for Offi ce: A Relationally
Embedded Model 148
K ira Sanbonmatsu and Susan J. Carroll
Gender Stereotypes and Group Identity 165
10 Gender Stereotypes and Voter Evaluations of
Female Candidates 167
N ichole M. Bauer
11 The Impact of Motherhood and Maternal Messages on
Political Candidacies 184
J ill Greenlee, Grace Deason, and Carrie Langner
PART III
Women in Political Leadership 203
12 The Impact of Gender in the Legislative Process 205
B rian Frederick and Shannon Jenkins
Contents vii
13 Gender and the Bench: Does Judge Sex Infl uence Citizens? 221
K jersten Nelson
14 Conclusion 239
A ngela L. Bos and Monica C. Schneider
Index 243

FIGURES
2.1 Mother–Child and Father–Child Correlations for Party
Identifi cation, 1997 23
2.2 Mother–Child and Father–Child Correlations for Party
Identifi cation, 2012 26
4.1 Probability of Support for Increased Childcare Spending 64
6.1 Objectifi cation Theory Model 96
6.2 Summary of Patterns Revealed in Three Experiments 100
7.1 Gender Voting Gap, by Race and Hispanic Origin (2004–2012) 118
9.1 State Legislators’ First Decision to Seek Elective Offi ce 155
10.1 Effects of Feminine Traits on Candidate Evaluations 178
10.2 The Effects of Masculine Traits on Candidate Evaluations 179