Date of Award
Spring 3-6-2023
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Psychology
Committee Chair
Dr. Don Sacco
Committee Chair School
Psychology
Committee Member 2
Dr. Mitch Brown
Committee Member 2 School
Psychology
Committee Member 3
Dr. Alen Hajnal
Committee Member 3 School
Psychology
Committee Member 4
Dr. Aaron Fath
Committee Member 4 School
Psychology
Abstract
Women’s retention of their surname following marriage has become increasingly common despite pervasive stereotypes of this stereotype as leading to relational failure. It could be possible that women’s physical appearance could buffer them from these stereotypes, particularly if that appearance is sex-typical. This study investigated how feminized facial structures could buffer women from negative perceptions of their abilities in relationships. Participants assessed a woman described as having changed or kept her surname. This woman’s face varied in her sex typicality (i.e., feminized, masculinized, unaltered). Feminine women appeared more modest when they kept their surname. Hostile sexism predicted less relational success among masculinized women who kept their surname, whereas benevolent sexism predicted perceptions of more success among such women who changed their names. Sex typicality may offer a buffer against the consequence of norm deviation.
Recommended Citation
Drea, Kelsey, "Perceived Gender Norm Adherence in Women as Function of Sex-Typical Facial Features and Surname Decisions" (2023). Dissertations. 2098.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2098