The paper presents a brief review of the theoretical framework addressing the problem of gender stereotypes, as well as the results of a number of empirical research aimed to show the facets of stability and variability of these stereotypes. The samples consisted of 50 subjects, all residents of St. Petersburg, middle aged. The methods used: the author's checklist, "The Opposite profiles" scale, and self-actualization questionnaire. Gender stereotypes in interpersonal perception tend to be specific and stable for auto- and heterostereotypes. The relationship between the severity of gender stereotypes and the level of self-actualization was found.