Final answer:
The study by Jackman and Senter (1981) that found both men and women view women as more emotional than men showcases a gender-based stereotype. This stereotype is not an accurate representation of reality but rather a societal generalization that can negatively impact women's experiences and opportunities in various settings, such as mental health diagnoses and workplace advancement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The finding by Jackman and Senter (1981) that both men and women think women are more “emotional” than men demonstrates a gender-based stereotype. A gender stereotype refers to a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics that are or ought to be possessed by, or the roles that are or should be performed by women and men. A stereotype implies an over-generalized belief about a particular category of people; it does not necessarily represent reality and is often propagated by societal norms and perceptions.
Seeing women as more emotional than men can be tied to institutionalized sexism, where such beliefs impact women's lived experiences, including their higher likelihood of being diagnosed with certain mental disorders, such as Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). These stereotypes can also limit women's progression in the workplace, affecting their ascent to leadership positions, not because of their actual emotional tendencies, but due to preconceived notions of how women “should” behave, as noted by researchers such as Heilman (2012).
The alternative options such as accurate perception, emotional intelligence, and biased reporting are not supported by the fact that stereotypes, by their nature, are simplifications and do not necessarily reflect the complex reality of individual behaviors and attributes. Therefore, the conclusion that can be drawn from the study by Jackman and Senter is that it showcases a prevalent gender stereotype within society.
It's important to note that psychological and sociological studies, such as those cited by Dana Becker and Judith Butler, offer insight that both challenge and refute simplistic interpretations of emotionality and behavior as being biologically determined between genders.