Person Perception as a Function of Sex and Age

This experiment was designed to explore the effects of sex and age on impressions. The 228 volunteers ranged in age from 18 to 87 years. Subjects were asked to report impressions, using the PPQ, about fictitious targets who were systematically varied according to sex and age. A 2 (Sex of Subject) x 3 (Age of Subject) x 2 (set of Target) x 2 (Age of Target) ANOVA was performed on ratings of likability, adjustment, femininity, masculinity, and androgyny. Older subjects received and gave the highest ratings. Middle-aged subjects gave lower ratings to all targets, but discriminated least. Young subjects were favorable to women. Female subjects also were more discriminating than male subjects. Older women discriminated against female targets. Younger women discriminated in their favor. The parallels between young male and older female perceptions were noteworthy. Young men and older women showed similarities by rating those targets most like themselves least favorably.