Final answer:
Of the statements provided, A) is accurate, illustrating that benevolent sexism often coexists with hostile sexism, and D) is also true, denoting that ambivalent attitudes can have both positive and negative views towards a group.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examining the accuracy of statements about positive or benevolent stereotypes and ambiguous "isms," such as sexism and racism, it's clear that both positive and negative stereotypes have significant social implications.
True Statements:
- A) A study found that benevolent sexism in individuals often exists alongside hostile sexism. This is true as both forms of sexism can coexist within an individual, reinforcing gender stereotypes and gender role expectations.
- D) Ambivalent attitudes toward sexism, racism, ageism, or heterosexism involve holding simultaneous positive and negative attitudes toward specific groups. Indeed, individuals may hold conflicting feelings that both favor and disfavor a group, and these attitudes can complicate interpersonal and societal interactions.
False Statements:
- B) Many people believe that as long as a stereotype isn't negative, it cannot be harmful. This is incorrect. Even positive stereotypes can be harmful, as they overgeneralize and fail to recognize individual differences within groups.
- C) Ambivalent sexism, ambivalent racism (and any other ambivalent "ism") occurs when a person possesses neither positive nor negative attitudes about these specific groups. This statement is inaccurate; ambivalent "isms" reflect a coexistence of both positive and negative attitudes rather than a lack of attitudes entirely.