The relationship between ambivalent sexism and global self-esteem has been investigated, but the effect of ambivalent sexism on collective self-esteem is still relatively unknown. The theory of ambivalent sexism suggests that traditional sexism has two disparate expressions: hostility, expressed when women do not inhabit subordinate or traditional roles, and benevolence, expressed as romanticism and reverence. Undergraduate woman (N=83) completed online surveys measuring collective self-esteem and personal experiences with hostile and benevolent sexism. Analyses revealed identity and private self-esteem scores were not associated with experiences of hostile sexism but were positively correlated with experiences of benevolent sexism. Conversely, public self-esteem was positively correlated with experiences of hostile sexism and unrelated to experiences of benevolent sexism. These results suggest that benevolent sexism may be perceived as chivalrous or flattering to the target, resulting in the internalization of gender roles and an increased importance placed on gender identity. Results also suggest that overt, hostile sexism is less likely to be internalized, instead attributed to general societal views.
