How are gender counter-stereotypical adolescents evaluated by their peers? Investigating the backlash effect in French schools

Abstract Research on the backlash effect has long studied social sanctions that individuals impose those who do not conform to stereotypical expectations. Specifically, research focused reactions gender stereotype violations. Studies have shown adults, adolescents, and even children will sanction others when they fail stereotypes. The present pre-registered ( https://tinyurl.com/4epypv3a ) this among adolescents in French middle high-schools. For study, we were also interested exploring moderating role of participants’ socioeconomic status their expression . We created four profiles presenting candidacy for a school representative role. varied personality traits behaviors contained (stereotypically feminine vs. masculine) target (boy girl). A sample 840 participants between ages 13 18 rated adolescent measures intended capture , as well stereotypicality items. Using multilevel models analyze our data, did find evidence hypothesized. However, unexpectedly, measure perception arrogance, found judged counter-stereotypical more positively than target. Furthermore, that, compared targets, targets competent, mostly by high SES adolescents. Possible methodological theoretical explanations these results are discussed, implications future effect, particularly