Egalitarian yet Unequal? Gender Stereotyping in Romantic Relationships

Abstract

In three studies (Ns = 225, 182, 378), heterosexual participants reported their career / family priorities, plus those of their romantic partner, in 10-15 years. Predictions for romantic partners’ career / family goals were more gender-traditional than self-reports, indicating an over-reliance on gender stereotypes when perceiving partners. This pattern was stronger amongst those espousing gender-traditionalism in their romantic relationship. In dyadic Study 3, self-reports and partner perceptions were directly compared (e.g., his perception of her goals versus her self-reported goals), revealing broadly accurate predictions about partners, as well as assumed similarity. Preliminary results may indicate higher accuracy amongst gender-traditionalists than those endorsing egalitarianism. Romantic partners play a key role in supporting or hindering each other’s goal achievement (Kvitkovičová, Umemura, & Macek, 2017), with individuals in relationships with goal-supportive partners experiencing greater relationship and life satisfaction (Overall, Fletcher, & Simpson, 2010). Accurate detection of goals is a prerequisite to appropriate deployment of support, so reliable monitoring of partner goals is an essential element in strong relationships.