Implicit occupational gender stereotypes: a research among Turkish university students

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to reveal implicit occupational gender stereotypes for 12 different occupations in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample of 954 Turkish university students, this study aimed to explore which jobs are implicitly perceived to be masculine and which jobs are implicitly perceived to be feminine. The role of the respondents' sex, the place where they grew up (metropolitan or rural) and the information level about the occupation (job title or job description) on occupational gender stereotypes were also tested. Gender stereotypes were assessed using a hypothetical scenario method, which provides an opportunity to reveal implicit information processing. Chi Square and t-test were used in hypothesis testing. Findings Consistent with the circumscription and compromise and the social role theory, as expected, the findings of the current study provided additional support about occupational gender stereotypes showing that job titles are strongly effective vehicles to communicate gender stereotypes for Turkish university students. Originality/value Using implicit measures of information processing and offering findings from a completely different cultural background (Turkey) constitutes the original contribution of this work.