The women-are-wonderful effect is a psychological phenomenon where people, regardless of gender, tend to attribute more positive qualities to women compared to men. This bias often manifests as an emotional preference for women, suggesting that individuals see women as nurturing and virtuous figures. Research indicates that this effect is particularly strong among female participants, who show a heightened bias towards positive views of women.
In a study by Alice Eagly and Antonio Mladinic, both male and female participants rated women more favorably on various traits compared to men, illustrating the women-are-wonderful effect in action.
To counteract this bias, individuals can consciously evaluate men and women based on a standardized set of criteria, reducing the influence of emotional biases in their assessments.