Measuring Individuals’ Misogynistic Attitudes: Development and Validation of the Misogyny Scale

Abstract

Across three studies based on a nationally representative survey (n = 1500), we developed and validated the misogyny scale. Initial items were generated from an extensive literature search and subsequently derived from validated scales assessing internalised misogyny, hostile sexism, and hostility towards women. Construct and measurement validity were established across several studies. An exploratory factor analysis (Study 1, n = 750) established the factor structure of the 10-item misogyny scale. In study 2 (n = 750), the 10-item structure was replicated via confirmatory factor analysis. The misogyny scale displayed good convergent (i.e., significant and strong relationship with male sexual entitlement, masculinity related violent beliefs and willingness to use violence) and discriminant validity (i.e., no relationship with analytical thinking). In study 3 (n = 750), we established measurement invariance across gender and age groups. This allows researchers to deploy the scale among male and female individuals, across different age groups as well as to assess latent mean differences. Significant latent mean differences for all three latent factors emerged between male and female participants, demonstrating that men had significantly stronger misogynistic attitudes than women (MDiff1 = -.482***; MDiff2 = -.324***; MDiff3 = -.197***). The latent mean differences ranged from small (Cohen’s d2 = .27; Cohen’s d3 = .19) to medium effect sizes (Cohen’s d1 = .38). The strongest latent mean differences between age groups were found for the factor ‘manipulative and exploitative nature of women’. Older age groups reported significantly stronger attitudes relating to this factor than younger participants. The misogyny scale will allow researchers to explore the psychological antecedents and consequences of misogyny among population samples and the subsequent findings may have important practical implications for prevention and intervention programs on violent (extremist) propensity development.

Misogyny, authoritarianism, and climate change

“…Hypotheses 4 and 5, that authoritarianism scores and misogynistic attitude scores respectively would be negatively associated with environmental concern, were jointly tested using a standard multiple regression with simultaneous entry of all predictors. Gender was also included as a predictor as it is known to be associated with both Misogyny Scale and EIA‐24‐P scores (Milfont & Duckitt, 2010; Rottweiler & Gill, 2021). The analysis, summarized in Table 3, indicated that this set of variables predicted around 20% of variance in concern for protecting the environment (adjusted R 2 = .20).…”

“…Misogynistic attitudes were measured using the Misogyny Scale (Rottweiler & Gill, 2021). This is a 10-item questionnaire which requires participants to respond to statements such as "Women seek to gain power by getting control over men" on a 7-point scale anchored at "Strongly Disagree" and "Strongly Agree."…”

“…Misogynistic attitudes were measured using the Misogyny Scale (Rottweiler & Gill, 2021). This is a 10‐item questionnaire which requires participants to respond to statements such as “Women seek to gain power by getting control over men” on a 7‐point scale anchored at “Strongly Disagree” and “Strongly Agree.” The scale is conceptualized as measuring misogynistic attitudes related to the manipulative and exploitative nature of women, distrust of women, and devaluation of women.…”

“…Higher scores indicate a higher level of misogyny. Men and older age groups report more misogynistic attitudes than women and younger groups (Rottweiler & Gill, 2021).…”

Women who cry to manipulate others face more backlash than men

“…This could provide a more exhaustive picture of the consequences of violating gender stereotypes in different contexts. Relatedly, organizational cultures can make a difference; for instance, research has shown that in misogynistic contexts, people tend to see women as exploitative and manipulative, seeking to gain control over men (Rottweiler & Gill, 2020). Future research would benefit from investigating organizational culture as a moderator.…”