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The Importance Of Perceived Similarity Within Faculty-Faculty Mentoring Dyads, Emily N. Polander

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This study investigated the effects of gender similarity, perceived similarity, and relationship type (formal vs. informal) within faculty-faculty mentoring dyads on various mentoring outcomes from the protégé's perspective. Perceived similarity was expected to be a stronger predictor of relationship satisfaction, affective commitment, job satisfaction, and turnover intent than gender similarity. Perceived similarity was also examined as a potential mediator of relationship type and relationship satisfaction. Tenure-track faculty who reported having mentors (N = 45) answered questions regarding their primary career mentor and other workplace attitudes. Results indicated that perceived similarity had a positive, greater effect than gender similarity on relationship …