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By the numbers: Yes, she can

Most Americans think women are as competent and smart as men—a major change from seven decades ago

APA Style leaf logo Cite This Article in APA Style
Winerman, L. (2019, October 1). By the numbers: Yes, she can. Monitor on Psychology, 50(9). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/10/numbers-she-can

Woman leading a business meeting

52%

The percentage of people in 2018 who said women are as competent as men, compared with 20% in 1946. The percentage of people who think women are less competent than men fell from 45% to 9% over that time.

68%

The percentage of people in 2018 who said women are as intelligent as men, compared with 25% in 1946. The percentage of people who think that women are less intelligent than men fell from 44% to 7% over that time.

74%

The percentage of people in 2018 who believe women are more communal than men, compared with 33% in 1946. Communal traits include being affectionate, compassionate, emotional, outgoing, honest, romantic, sensitive, unselfish and able to handle people well.

43%

The percentage of people in 2018 who believe men have more agency than women, compared with 42% in 1946. Agency traits include aggression, ambition, courage, decisiveness and independence, as well as arrogance, hard work and stubbornness.

References

Eagly, A., et al. (2019). Gender stereotypes have changed: A cross-temporal meta-analysis of U.S. public opinion polls from 1946 to 2018. American Psychologist, online first, July 18, 2019. Available at: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037.amp0000494opens in new window.

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