Patterns of Approval in Work Groups: Treating the Sexes Equally.
Abstract
This study investigated patterns of approval and disapproval for stereotypically feminine and masculine behavior in work groups. Accordingly, a sample of 216 male and female Navy enlisted personnel were given a series of behavioral 'contingency statments' illustrating the masculine and feminine traits on the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Subjects were asked to complete the statements by rating the extent to which they would encourage or discourage each behavior in one of four work group members--a male subordinate, female subordinate, male co-worker, or female co-worker. It was found that approval patterns did not vary according to the sex of the worker. However, significant effects were observed with respect to the sex of respondent and the status of the worker as a subordinate or co-worker. Specifically, female respondents were more likely than male respondents to encourage feminine behaviors, and co-workers were more likely than subordinates to receive encouraging responses to feminine behaviors. No significant differences were found on these variables for masculine behavior. It is concluded that sex-specific patterns of approval are not apparent in the Navy system; on the contrary, there is a small tendency to encourage a given behavior more strongly when it is cross-sex. These findings are interpreted in terms of their consistency with previous research on Navy populations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA065121
Entities
People
- J. David Johnson
- Kirsten Hinsdale