Sexism

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Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior

Synonyms

Chauvinism; Gender bias; Gender discrimination; Gender inequality; Gender prejudice; Misogyny

Definition

Sexism can encompass prejudiced thoughts, beliefs, or discriminatory behaviors directed at an individual on the basis of their sex.

Introduction

Gender inequality is a pervasive issue that gives rise to the unfair treatment of individuals on the basis of their sex. Sexism includes negative thoughts, feelings, and acts of discrimination that are directed toward an individual or a group of people. Unlike other types of group antagonism, such as those based on race/ethnicity or religion, where in-group and out-group members may have little to no contact with one another, sexism is unique in that men and women have frequent and sustained contact with one another, including in both private spaces (e.g., the home) and in public spaces (e.g., workplace). The interdependent nature of men and women, stemming from reliance on one another for resources and procreation, may also foster...

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Correspondence to C. Veronica Smith .

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Shaw, C.M., Smith, C.V. (2023). Sexism. In: Shackelford, T.K. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sexual Psychology and Behavior. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_89-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08956-5_89-1

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