The “white knight” effect: Benevolent sexism accounts for bystander intervention in party situations among high status men.

Abstract

Prior research indicates that adherence to the male role norm suggesting men should seek to attain social status (i.e., status) is positively related to prosocial bystander attitudes and behavior; however, moderators of this effect have yet to be examined. One construct that may influence this effect is benevolent sexism. The present study sought to fill this gap in the literature. Participants were 148 men 21-30 years of age from the metro Atlanta area who reported that they had engaged in heavy drinking at least three times in the past year. A moderation model was used to examine the independent and interactive effects of adherence to the status norm and benevolent sexism on bystander behavior within party settings for friends and strangers. The model predicting bystander behavior towards friends showed a significant interaction between status and benevolent sexism (b = .59, p = .021). The association between adherence to the status norm and bystander behavior was significant and positive among men who reported high benevolent sexism (β = .96, p = .003), but not low benevolent sexism (β=.15, p=.619). No such effects were detected for bystander behavior for strangers. Findings suggest that males who hold traditional male ideologies around chivalry may be more likely to engage in prosocial bystander behavior towards women in party situations, perhaps as a way of demonstrating their high status. These findings have implications for future programming for men.

Benevolent Sexism, Attachment, and Chivalry: Examining the Role of Unfulfilled Needs in Contexts of Dependence

“…However, benevolent sexism is subtly harmful because these romanticsounding beliefs position women as lacking the competence and agency to fend for themselves (Glick & Fiske, 1996). Men who endorse benevolent sexism tend to behave in ways that are more paternalistic or patriarchal forms of "chivalry" (Grabe et al, 2006;Leone et al, 2020). Chivalrous acts include protecting women from harm (e.g., sexual assault; Leone et al, 2020;Viki et al, 2002;Viki et al, 2005), providing for women financially (e.g., paying on a date; Viki et al, 2003), and offering women help in traditionally "masculine" domains (e.g., help with cars and computers; Shnabel et al, 2016).…”

“…Men who endorse benevolent sexism tend to behave in ways that are more paternalistic or patriarchal forms of "chivalry" (Grabe et al, 2006;Leone et al, 2020). Chivalrous acts include protecting women from harm (e.g., sexual assault; Leone et al, 2020;Viki et al, 2002;Viki et al, 2005), providing for women financially (e.g., paying on a date; Viki et al, 2003), and offering women help in traditionally "masculine" domains (e.g., help with cars and computers; Shnabel et al, 2016). Whilst these behaviours may appear polite and considerate, chivalry is only offered to women who are seen as submissive, sexually conservative, and nurturing (Viki & Abrams, 2002;Viki et al, 2005).…”

“…Previous research demonstrates the link between men's concerns with/entitlement to power and their endorsement of benevolent sexism. That is, men who are more concerned with maintaining social status, and felt more psychologically entitled to social power, status, and resources tended to more strongly endorse benevolent sexism Leone et al, 2020). One way benevolent sexism facilitates men's structural power is by framing men as more competent than women.…”

“…That is, women are seen as weak and defenceless and thus, in need of guidance, assistance, or support from men (Moulds, 1980). Common examples of chivalry include men providing for women financially, offering help in masculine domains, and protecting women from harm (Leone et al, 2020;Shnabel et al, 2016;Viki et al, 2003). These chivalrous acts are labelled "support behaviours" because they occur in supportrelevant contexts (i.e., when help is needed or perceived to be needed) rather than because they are supportive (see Newsom et al, [2005] on negative support behaviours such as unwanted advice, intrusions, unsympathetic/insensitive behaviour, and failure to provide needed help).…”

“…For example, when traditional men (i.e., more strongly endorsing of benevolent sexism) are asked to offer advice to their female partners about job opportunities that are potentially dangerous, they will often assume the role of a "protector" and use protective reasoning to dissuade their partners from advancing their careers (Moya et al, 2007). In the context of dating, typical courtship behaviours such as men paying for dinner, men protecting women from other men, and men taking care of planning for dates can be classed as support behaviours that render women dependent on men, but have romantic undertones (Leone et al, 2020;Viki et al, 2003). Thus, while receiving dependency-oriented support may have negative consequences, its chivalrous tones masks the inherent paternalism for women, and functions as an effective strategy that traditional men use to elicit women's dependence within heterosexual romantic relationships.…”