Variation in the application of the "promiscuous female" stereotype and the nature of the application domain: influences on sexual harassment judgments after exposure to the Jerry Springer Show

Sex Roles: A Journal of Research,  April, 2005  by Tara Ferguson,  Jeff Berlin,  Erica Noles,  James Johnson,  William Reed,  C. Vincent Spicer

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Procedure

To reduce the probability of demand bias, participants were informed that they would be participating in two separate studies.

Part 1 (Public Policy Study)

The ostensible purpose of the first study was to assess the participants' views on "public policy" issues. The cover of the experimental booklets included areas for the participants to list their (a) major, (b) gender, (c) birth date, and (d) age. Participants also gave this information in the "second experiment" (in addition to other irrelevant information) so that their responses in the first experiment could be matched with their responses in the second experiment.

A female experimenter distributed the booklets labeled "Public Policy Issues." An excerpt from the exact instructions is given below:

     We are presently involved in research on the public view of
     regulation of various issues associated with present day media
     stimuli ... One of the shows that has received the greatest amount
     of attention is Jerry Springer. This show has been criticized for
     (a) nudity, (b) excessive violence, and (c) glorifying immoral
     behavior. We are interested in your perceptions of the appropriate
     government role in regulating these types of shows. We are also
     assessing various other perceptions regarding this show. You will
     see several clips from the Jerry Springer Show. After watching the
     clips, you will be asked to respond to several questions.

The participants then watched one of two types of 30-min compilation of clips from several Jerry Springer shows. Those in the promiscuous behavior condition watched a compilation of clips that involved various women discussing their participation in a number of sexual activities. These activities included extramarital affairs, "having lots of sex, because I just can't get enough," lesbian affairs, infidelity in lesbian relationships, etc. These clips were chosen because the focus of the discussion was some type of sexual activity that was initiated by the female guests. Participants in the nonpromiscuous behavior condition watched a compilation of clips that showed women who were involved in disordered eating, family conflict, and hate groups. These clips were chosen because they did not involve any forms of sexual activity or discussion of sexual topics.

After watching the clips, participants answered four filler questions regarding their perceptions of the government's role in regulating such shows. They also read that the experimenters were interested in a "few more issues" associated with the show. Participants answered the following Likert-type questions: (a) How many Jerry Springer shows do you watch per week? (1 = no shows, 4 = three shows, 7 = six shows): (b) How much did you like the clips that you just watched? (1 = very little, 9 = very much).

After all of the participants had completed the questionnaires, the experimenter thanked them for their participation, passed out the credit slips, asked the participants to wait for the next experimenter, and left the room.