Internalized Misogyny Scale (IMS) Test

Misogyny isn’t just loud chauvinism—it can whisper inside us, shaped by culture, norms, and quiet assumptions. The Internalized Misogyny Scale (IMS) digs into this shadow, spotlighting how women (and men) might unknowingly harbor biases against their own gender. Across 25 questions, we probe three angles: Distrust of Women, suspicion of women’s motives; Devaluing Women, downplaying their worth; and Idealizing Men, lifting men as the default gold standard. It’s not about blame—it’s about seeing. From workplace gripes to leadership vibes, these facets reveal how deep the roots go.

Distrust of Women: This facet captures a wariness of women’s intentions, seeing them as manipulative or untrustworthy. It’s the gut feeling that women exaggerate, lie, or scheme to get ahead—stereotypes baked into cultural scripts. Think “she’s playing the victim” or “don’t let her fool you.” Research ties this to internalized patriarchal norms, where women absorb skepticism toward their own kind (Glick & Fiske, 1996). It’s subtle but sharp, eroding solidarity and reflecting a lens tinted by societal distrust of feminine agency.

Devaluing Women: Here’s where women’s worth gets chipped away—dismissing their struggles, competence, or presence as “too much” or “not enough.” It’s the eye-roll at a woman’s complaint, the cringe when she speaks with authority, the sense she’s out of place. Studies link this to internalized sexism, where women adopt cultural cues that diminish their value (Szymanski et al., 2009). It’s a quiet sabotage, reinforcing hierarchies by questioning women’s legitimacy in spaces traditionally claimed by men—or even among themselves.

Idealizing Men: This facet crowns men as the benchmark—smarter, steadier, better suited to lead or shine. It’s preferring a male boss, trusting a man’s voice over a woman’s, or feeling prouder beating a woman than a man. Rooted in patriarchal conditioning, it reflects an unconscious bias elevating masculinity (Becker & Swim, 2011). Women internalize this glow around men, sidelining their own potential. It’s not blatant worship—just a tilt, a lean toward male authority that feels natural until you question it.

These three threads weave a tapestry of internalized misogyny—sometimes loud, often quiet, always worth a look. Which strands tug at you? Take the test and find out! As publishers of this free test, we’ve expanded the IMS from its roots, aiming for insight through careful design. It’s not a clinical tool—just a reflective quiz, offered “as-is.” Check our Terms of Service for more.