The Social Psychology of Gender Inequality

Abstract

I review social psychological theories that can explain gender inequality, highlighting the theoretical claims, findings, and limitations central to each account. Symbolic interactionist and social learning theories of socialization specify the processes through which gendered norms and expectations are learned, while the structural and doing gender perspectives highlight the roles of structural position and interactional pressures in the construction of gender inequality. Network and identity theories offer more specific structural approaches that emphasize the role of networks in the dissemination of information and values, which then produce gender-differentiated selves, opportunities, experiences, and interests. Expectation states theories show how gender status beliefs contribute to male dominance in problem solving groups and how those group experiences perpetuate the beliefs that drive them. Affect control theories show how gender differences in self-sentiments motivate identity adoption and, in turn, behavior that is differentiated by gender, with men behaving in more dominant and less sensitive ways. They also show how these behavior patterns reinforce the sentiments driving them. Identity control theory offers a similar perspective, showing how gendered identity standards motivate men to behave in more aggressive and less nurturant ways than women. Future work testing propositions related to multi-level processes and intersectionality would strengthen these theoretical explanations.