The Discrepancies in Voter Perception of Male and Female Political Candidates: Biases of Characteristic Traits and Policy Priority

Abstract

Gender remains a defining factor in how political candidates are perceived by the American electorate, shaping not only evaluations of characteristic traits but also perceived policy priority. These discrepancies are rooted and propelled by traditional gender roles from the 1900s. This thesis shows that the perceptions of female and male political candidates differ depending on the informational environment as well as the voter demographics. I used both a quantitative nationally representative survey and a qualitative interview of students on Bucknell\u27s campus. The date revealed that individuals in lower information environments are more likely to enact gender stereotypes along traditional gender lines. Whereas in higher information environments a pro-female stereotype emerges within specific demographic groups, specifically females, democrats, and younger voters