Addressing Pluralistic Ignorance to Promote Gender Equality

Overview & Synopsis

Pluralistic ignorance is a social norms phenomenon in which people mistakenly believe that their personal preferences are not what most people around them support or prefer. This misalignment can lead individuals to adjust their behaviors away from their preferences. Pluralistic ignorance can also explain why certain social norms, particularly those that support or justify harmful practices and or actions that limit women’s and girls’ opportunities, might stay in place. Learning how to address pluralistic ignorance through policy interventions can accelerate gender equality and address harmful social norms. This note provides background on what pluralistic ignorance is, how to identify it, and practical guidance on how to address it.