Communicating gender equity: Representation and portrayal of women and men in introductory communication textbooks

Content analytic procedures were used to examine sex representation and gender bias in hybrid introductory communication textbooks. Although findings of the study suggest that men are used more frequently as the focal point within the texts analyzed, no significant differences exist between the representation of women and men in the written and pictorial content of the textbook chapters. Results do indicate, however, that an unintentional form of gender bias may exist as both sexes are depicted in traditional roles in both textual examples and photographs. To address such subtle forms of gender bias, it is recommended that current standards for addressing biased symbols be revisited.