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Anti-Female Gender Stereotypes and Gender Bias in the Assessment of Music

Finsterbusch, Carla Stella (2022) Anti-Female Gender Stereotypes and Gender Bias in the Assessment of Music. Master thesis, Psychology.

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C.S. Finsterbusch - S3776387 - Master Thesis 2022.pdf

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Abstract

As females are underrepresented in the music industry and male artists dominate the music charts, this research aims to advance our understanding of these gender differences. Prior research hinted at gender stereotypes and gender bias against music by female artists. If anti-female bias is discovered, it needs to be reduced, at least in formal music assessments such as exams and awards. This study investigated (1) whether there are negative stereotypic beliefs against music by female artists, (2) whether music presented as made by female artists is judged less favorably than the same music presented as made by male artists, and (3) whether this potential anti-female bias can be reduced in formal music assessment by using more standardized assessment procedures. A 2x2 mixed experiment (N = 89) was conducted, in which artist gender (male versus female, within-factor) and assessment approach (holistic versus mechanical, between-factor) were manipulated, and electronic music tracks were assessed. Contrary to expectations, this study did not find negative stereotypes against music by female artists, and music by female artists was not rated significantly lower than music by male artists so the effect of structured, mechanical assessment to reduce anti-female gender bias could not be supported per definition. Due to the insignificant and small effects, which were partly opposite the hypothesized direction, pointing toward the possibility of positive stereotypes about music by female artists, no firm conclusions could be drawn, and future research incentives are discussed. Keywords: music assessment, anti-female stereotypes, anti-female bias, holistic versus mechanical assessment

Item Type: Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name: Niessen, A.S.M.
Degree programme: Psychology
Differentiation route: Talent Development and Creativity (TDC) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited: 12 Jul 2022 07:12
Last Modified: 12 Jul 2022 07:12
URI: http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/875

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