Male-Female Differences in Expressed Work Attitudes: An Examination of Sex Roles and Gender Identity
Date of Award
8-1984
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Sociology
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
This study investigates the existence of sex-based differences in attitudes toward social relations in the work environment. Both sex role (male vs. female) and gender-identity (agentic and communal aspects of self-conception) were related to work attitudes within the context of situational (attitude disclosure) and dispositional (public self-consciousness) factors. Subjects' attitudes toward the work environment were measured by a newly-developed Work Attitude Questionnaire (WAQ) which assessed preferences for personal vs. counterpersonal and preferences for conflict vs. conflict-avoidance in social relations in the work environment.
Significantly different work attitudes were expressed by male and female subjects: males expressed greater counterpersonal and lower conflict-avoidance attitudes than females. Hypotheses relating public attitude disclosure and subjects' level of public selfconsciousness to work attitudes were generally unsupported. The relationship of gender-identity to work attitudes differed for males and females. Among males, a more agentic identity related to lower conflict-avoidance while a more communal identity was associated with lower counterpersonal attitudes. Among females, a more agentic identity was associated with more counterpersonal attitudes.
Recommended Citation
Woods, Keith A., "Male-Female Differences in Expressed Work Attitudes: An Examination of Sex Roles and Gender Identity" (1984). Masters Theses. 1575.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/1575