Research

My research explores bias against Black women political candidates. More specifically, I examine the application of stereotypes, sexism, and racial resentment. Additionally, I evaluate the media’s role in perpetuating stereotypes against Black women candidates.

Dissertation

Title: “Intersectional Stereotyping and Voter Bias: The Impact of Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire Stereotypes on Black Women Candidates”

Committee: Rachel Bernhard, Amber Boydstun, and Benjamin Highton

Abstract: This project examines the impact of stereotypes on Black women candidates in American politics. I focus on three key mass media stereotypes of Black women—Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire—and their influence on voter evaluations of Black women candidates. Additionally, I explore how voters’ psychological characteristics, including sexism and racial resentment, moderate this relationship. Findings reveal that benevolent sexism and hostile sexism, significantly influenced perceptions of assertiveness for the Mammy stereotype candidate. It finds that while the Sapphire stereotype candidate is seen as more assertive but less compassionate and cooperative, these evaluations do not seem to affect their electability. Additionally, for individuals with high levels of benevolent sexism, Black women candidates displaying agentic or communal traits are perceived as equally electable—challenging conventional wisdom. This study sheds light on how gender stereotypes shape candidate perceptions and offers insights into the challenges faced by Black women candidates.

Working Papers

  • McReynolds, Rana B. “Intersectional Stereotyping: The Influence of Sexism on Voter’s Evaluations of Stereotypically Portrayed Black Women Candidates.” Presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association.

  • McReynolds, Rana B. “From Enslaved to Public Servant: Perceptions of Stereotypes at the Intersection of Race and Gender” Presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association.

  • McReynolds, Rana B. “Measuring the Gender Gap: Perceptions of Presidential Candidates.”