Denying psychological properties of girls and prostitutes: The role of verbal insults

Rubini, Monica; Roncarati, Alessandra; Ravenna, Marcella; Albarello, Flavia; Moscatelli, Silvia; Semin, Gün R.

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.12/5322

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Authors

Rubini, Monica

Roncarati, Alessandra

Abstract(s)

This study examines the negative stereotypes of the category of women and their subcategories through the language of insults. Participants produced a list of epithets induced by the same hypothetical scenario in which the protagonist was presented either as a 'prostitute' or as a 'girl' (i.e., nonprostitute). Findings showed that the prostitute was addressed with taboo-related insults exaggerating sexual behavior, whereas the girl was mainly given warnings and intellectual insults. The implications of these results are discussed in relation to the underlying processes.