Empowerment or Stereotypes? A Replication & Extension of the SlutWalk Study

Previous research has shown that even derogatory terms like "slut" can be re-appropriated to produce positive outcomes. This study replicates and extends Gaucher et al. (2015) by examining Black and White women's responses to the term "slut" in both typical and supportive contexts. Participants were exposed to the term "slut" while systematically varying the speaker's gender and the context in which the term was used. Results indicated that both groups reported greater empowerment in supportive contexts, with Black women showing a more substantial increase in empowerment compared to White women. Unexpectedly, the supportive context did not lead to more negative perceptions of the term "slut" among Black women. These findings suggest that, in social justice contexts, the re-appropriation of the term may provide a sense of solidarity, challenging stereotypes and offering opportunities for positive social change, despite its negative connotations in typical settings. Strengths, weaknesses, and avenues for future research are discussed.