ABSTRACT
Differences between men and women have gained much attention, particularly in the popular media. Following the differences hypothesis, women and men are expected to be significantly different psychologically. In contrast, following the similarities hypothesis, women and men are expected to be similar on most psychological variables. Results from a recent review of 46 meta-analyses by Hyde (2005) support the gender-similarities hypothesis. Nevertheless, research has consistently demonstrated the remarkably different beliefs that people hold about men and women. In these group stereotypes men are believed to be more agentic, e.g., competitive and individualistic, whereas women are assumed to be more expressive and communal, e.g., kind and nurturing (e.g., Diekman & Eagly, 2000). People’s highly elaborated set of associations concerning men and women appears to be cross-culturally valid (Best & Thomas, 2003; Williams & Best, 1990a). In addition, gender differences also exist in selfperception (e.g., Costa, Terracciano, & McCrae, 2001). Men describe themselves as more agentic than women, whereas women see themselves as higher in communion than men (e.g., Bem, 1974; Spence & Buckner, 2000).
