Strategic confrontation: Examining the utility of low stakes prodding as a strategy for confronting sexism

ABSTRACT

Confronting sexism has been routinely operationalized in experimental research as assertive behavior that expresses disapproval of sexism. The present research examines an indirect confrontation strategy we term low stakes prodding. We first establish the use of this strategy in a real-time sexist situation (Pilot study, N = 59), then test whether this indirect type of confrontation is considered to be an effective strategy for reducing sexism (Study 1, N = 138), and finally investigate whether low stakes prodding is deliberately used to avoid work-related costs (Study 2, N = 129). Study 1 demonstrated that the majority of respondents perceived low stakes prodding as confrontation, but viewed it as less effective when it was delayed. Study 2 showed that low stakes prodding was seen as a somewhat deliberate confrontation strategy that contributes to positive interpersonal interactions. Overall, the current research suggests that definitions of confrontation need to be expanded in order to encompass strategies used in actual situations of sexism.

KEYWORDS:

• Confronting
• sexism
• indirect confrontation
• subtle confrontation

Data availability statement

The data described in this article are openly available in the Open Science Framework at https://osf.io/p2zcg/.

Open scholarship

This article has earned the Center for Open Science badges for Open Data and Open Materials through Open Practices Disclosure. The data and materials are openly accessible at https://osf.io/p2zcg.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [BCS-1014562]; Washington and Lee University [Collaboration Grant].

Notes on contributors

Julie A. Woodzicka

Julie A. Woodzicka is a Professor of Cognitive and Behavioral Science and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Washington and Lee University.  Her research examines the effects of group-based disparagement humor, along with creative ways to confront sexism and racism.

Jessica J. Good

Jessica Good is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Gender & Sexuality Studies at Davidson College. Her research investigates motivation for confronting prejudice as well as the impacts of diversity language in STEM classrooms.