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The Sexualized Girl: A Within-Gender Stereotype Among Elementary School Children

  • Ellen A. Stone
  • , Christia Spears Brown
  • , Jennifer A. Jewell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two studies (conducted in 2013) examined whether elementary-aged children endorse a within-gender stereotype about sexualized girls. In Study 1, children (N = 208) ages 6-11 rated sexualized girls as more popular but less intelligent, athletic, and nice compared to nonsexualized girls. These distinctions were stronger for girls and older children, and in accordance with our developmental intergroup theoretical framework, were related to children's cognitive development and media exposure. Study 2 (N = 155) replicated the previous findings using more ecologically valid and realistic images of girls and further explored individual differences in the endorsement of the sexualized girl stereotype. Additional results indicated that the belief that girls should be appearance focused predicted their endorsement of the sexualized girl stereotype.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1604-1622
Number of pages19
JournalChild Development
Volume86
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 The Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

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