The Feminine and the Freaks: Gender and Mental Health Status Linguistic Frames Differentially Impact Perceptions of a Hypothetical Individual

This study examined how combining linguistic frames relating to gender or mental health status affected perceptions of hypothetical individuals. Participants read a description containing feminine/masculine and mentally ill/healthy frames, then provided responses. Mental illness frames worsened overall perceptions; femininity frames only increased likability. There was no interaction between independent variables.