The influence of gender stereotypes among college students on moral decision-making

¹ Education College, GuangXi University, China
² Faculty of Arts, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
³ Chongqing Nankai Secondary School, Chongqing, China

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

The gender stereotype has been a heated topic in the field of moral psychology. This study examines how gender stereotypes influence moral decision making among college students in survival scenarios. Through a vignette-based experiment, 289 participants selected survivors from a sinking ship under three conditions: no gender specified, gender- stereotypical roles, or counter-stereotypical roles. Chi-square tests revealed significant gender biases in selecting roles like Elementary Teacher, Artist, and CEO, with female candidates favored in stereotypically nurtured or counter-stereotypical roles. Conversely, utilitarian roles such as the Chef, Doctor showed no gender bias. Interviews revealed justifications rooted in gendered traits such as “gentle” teachers or a “women-first” bias for non- stereotypical roles. Surprisingly, female soldiers were preferred over males, highlighting cultural protection norms. The findings demonstrate how stereotypes subconsciously shape moral judgments, even in life-or-death decisions, emphasizing the need for bias-awareness education.