Abstract

This systematic review, conducted in accordance with PRISMA (2020) guidelines, analysed the consequences of gender stereotypes on language processing from 2012 to 2023. This review investigates the impact of stereotypical beliefs on the interpretation and understanding of language, including words, phrases, discourse, perceptions of professional roles and gender identity. The synthesis of empirical studies has consistently revealed that gender stereotypes have an impact on cognitive processes in language comprehension and production, resulting in biased interpretation, recall and understanding. These biases reinforce existing stereotypes and perpetuate gender norms in various contexts. These findings highlight the pressing need to address gender stereotypes in languages to promote equity and challenge societal norms. This review deepens our understanding of the relationship between language and gender and offers valuable insights for developing interventions aimed at mitigating stereotype-driven biases in communication. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.