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Linguistic sexism in peer-reviewed research influences recall but not perceptions

Linguistic sexism in peer-reviewed research influences recall but not perceptions

Willis, Malachi ORCID: 0000-0002-3173-3990 and Jozkowski, Kristen N. (2019) Linguistic sexism in peer-reviewed research influences recall but not perceptions. Journal of Sex Research, 57 (3). pp. 273-277. ISSN 0022-4499 (Print), 1559-8519 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1568378)

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Abstract

The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) prohibits bias in academic writing. One bias regarding gender is male firstness (i.e., the persistent placement of masculine terms before feminine ones). A recent content analysis found that a male-firstness bias exists in peer-reviewed social science journals. Using a sample of faculty members and graduate students (n = 754), we sought to examine the potential effects of male firstness in academic writing. Participants were randomly assigned to read the results of a bogus research article that demonstrated female firstness or male firstness; we also manipulated the topic of the article to be neutral, feminine, or masculine. Participants then responded to measures assessing perceptions and recall. The order of gendered terms and results seemed to influence readers’ recall of information but not their perceptions of the writing. Given these effects, researchers should strive to be conscious of male firstness when writing.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: linguistic sexism, gender bias
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences
Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Human Sciences (HUM)
Last Modified: 08 Jan 2021 10:29
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/27895

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