Research conducted by a team led by Marie Isabelle Weißflog from Ruhr-Universität Bochum in Germany and the University of York in the UK has revealed significant insights into how class and gender interact within different cultures. Published on February 18, 2026, in the open-access journal PLOS One, the study highlights that societal attitudes towards men and women can vary dramatically based on their perceived social status, with these effects being more pronounced in nations that maintain conservative gender norms.
The research indicates that certain markers of high status appear to enhance attitudes towards women more than they do towards men. Conversely, low status markers tend to have a more detrimental impact on perceptions of men compared to women. This distinction raises important questions about how social judgments are crafted and the role that cultural context plays in these processes.
Implications of Gender Norms on Social Judgments
Weißflog and her colleagues utilized a cross-cultural approach to investigate the relationship between social class and gender perceptions. The study involved participants from various countries, allowing researchers to discern patterns that may be influenced by cultural norms. The findings suggest that conservative environments amplify the effects of both high and low status markers on gender attitudes.
In many cultures, high-status individuals are often viewed through a lens of admiration and respect. However, the researchers found that when these individuals are women, the positive attitudes are significantly stronger compared to high-status men. This trend suggests that women in positions of power may be more readily accepted in some cultures, while men may not experience the same level of favorable regard.
The Role of Status in Shaping Gender Attitudes
The study’s results also indicate that low-status markers, such as unemployment or lack of education, negatively influence perceptions of men more than women. This finding underscores a potential bias where society may be less forgiving of men who do not meet traditional markers of success. For women, the consequences of low status seem to be less severe, suggesting a protective bias that may exist in certain cultural contexts.
The implications of these findings extend beyond academic interest; they challenge existing narratives about gender and class dynamics in society. By emphasizing the interplay between cultural norms and gender perceptions, Weißflog’s research opens up avenues for further exploration into how these factors can influence policies related to gender equality and social justice.
In summary, the study led by Marie Isabelle Weißflog underscores the complexities of social judgments concerning gender and class across different cultural landscapes. The pronounced effects observed in countries with conservative gender norms highlight the need for a deeper understanding of how societal attitudes are formed and how they can be influenced by cultural context. This research not only contributes to academic discourse but also has practical implications for addressing gender-related issues in diverse societies.
