An Analysis of Stereotype Refutation in Playboy by an Editorial Voice: The Advisor Hypothesis

Recent accounts of the contact hypothesis have stressed the cognitive aspects of the phenomenon. On the basis of this call for reformulation, we propose the existence of the advisor hypothesis, i.e., the idea that third parties can use their influence to inhibit stereotyping about in-group and out-group members. We conducted an examination of this construct, with reference to gender stereotypes, using an archival data set of 38 years of the “ Playboy Advisor” column. Evidence from both qualitative and quantitative analyses indicated that the Playboy Advisor carried out several actions to inhibit misogyny and discourage the application of stereotypes to both men and women. Implications and limitations of the present research are discussed.