Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons^™

The Effects Of Sex-Role Attitudes And Group Composition On Men And Women In Groups, Valerie P. Hans, Nancy Eisenberg

Valerie P. Hans

The dual impact of group gender composition and sex-role attitudes on self-perceptions and social behavior was explored. Androgynous and stereotyped men and women were placed in groups of skewed sex composition. Subjects' self-descriptions of masculine attributes shifted significantly in the group environment. In some instances, sex role-stereotyped subjects responded most stereotypically when their gender was in the minority in the group. Differences between men and women and between androgynous and stereotyped subjects in sex role-related preferences for group roles and discussion topics were also found.