1st Edition
The Political Psychology of Women in U.S. Politics
The Political Psychology of Women in U.S. Politics is a comprehensive resource for students, researchers, and practitioners interested in women and politics. Highly original and drawing from the best available research in psychology and political science, this book is designed to summarize and extend interdisciplinary research that addresses how and why men and women differ as citizens, as political candidates, and as officeholders. The chapters in this volume are focused on differences in the political behavior and perceptions of men and women, yet the chapters also speak to broader topics within American politics – including political socialization, opinion formation, candidate emergence, and voting behavior. Broadly, this volume addresses the causes and consequences of women’s underrepresentation in American government.
This book is the ideal resource for students and researchers of all levels interested in understanding the unique political experiences of diverse women, and the importance of rectifying the problem of gender disparities in American politics.
Chapter 1: Studying the Political Effects of Gender using a Psychology Lens
Angela L. Bos and Monica C. Schneider
Part I: Women as Citizens
Gender Socialization
Chapter 2: Gender and the Socialization of Party Identification
Zoe M. Oxley
Chapter 3: Promoting Adolescent Girls’ Civic Engagement and Activism
Britney G. Brinkman
Chapter 4: The Gender Gap in Public Opinion: Exploring Social Role Theory as an Explanation
Mary-Kate Lizotte
Gender Gaps in Public Opinion, Public Policy and Political Action
Chapter 5: Economic Inequality and the Gendered Politics of Redistribution
Heather E. Bullock and Harmony A. Reppond
Chapter 6: Political Consciousness and Gender Collective Action: A Case and Place for Self-Objectification
Rachel Calogero
Chapter 7: New Directions at the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
Christina E. Bejarano
Part II: Women as Candidates
Gender and Political Ambition
Chapter 8: Gender Differences in Political Ambition
Kristin Kanthak
Chapter 9: Women’s Decisions to Run for Office: A Relationally Embedded Model
Kira Sanbonmatsu and Susan J. Carroll
Gender Stereotypes and Group Identity
Chapter 10: Gender Stereotypes and Voter Evaluations of Female Candidates
Nichole M. Bauer
Chapter 11: The Impact of Motherhood and Maternal Messages on Political Candidates
Jill Greenlee, Grace Deason and Carrie Langner
Part III: Women in Political Leadership
Chapter 12: The Impact of Gender in the Legislative Process
Brian Frederick and Shannon Jenkins
Chapter 13: Gender and the Bench: Does Judge Sex Influence Citizens?
Kjersten Nelson
Chapter 14: Conclusion
Angela L. Bos and Monica C. Schneider
Biography
Angela L. Bos is Associate Professor of Political Science at the College of Wooster. Her teaching and research in US politics is focused in the areas of women and politics, political psychology, media and politics, political parties and elections, and research methods.
Monica C. Schneider is Associate Professor of Political Science at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She studies gender and racial stereotypes in American politics, and the gender gap in ambition. She is also passionate about the advancement of women in the academy and improving outcomes for undergraduates.
'This book is a fascinating exploration of cutting edge research on the many ways that gender influences political participation and preferences—it’s a must read for anyone with an interest in the intersection of gender and politics.' - Linda J. Skitka, Social and Political Psychologist, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA
'The Political Psychology of Women in U.S. Politics lays bare the diverse and complex ways in which gender influences American political behavior. Drawing on psychology for insight, the authors advance our understanding of the gender gap in political attitudes and political ambition, the effects of voter stereotypes on female political figures, and factors that promote and impede women’s political involvement. Gender is not a deterministic influence on political behavior, as the authors in this volume make clear. The gender gap in vote choice varies in magnitude across elections and both male and female political candidates win and lose elections. Nonetheless, gender matters politically and this book adds needed insight into when and how that occurs.' - Leonie Huddy, SUNY at Stonybrook, USA
