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Gender Stereotypes and the Attribution of Leadership Traits: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

Sczesny, S.; Bosak, J.; Neff, D.; Schyns, B.

Authors

S. Sczesny

J. Bosak

D. Neff



Abstract

In this study, we analyzed cultural variations of managerial gender typing, that is, that managers are perceived as possessing traits that are part of the masculine stereotype. Management students of both sexes from three different countries—Australia, Germany, and India—estimated the percentage to which one of three stimulus groups, that is, executives-in-general (no gender specification), male executives, or female executives, possesses person-orientedand task-oriented leadership traits. Participants also rated the importance of these characteristics for the respective group. Furthermore, another group of participants described themselves regarding the two types of traits and their importance for themselves. Altogether, the results indicate a less traditional view of leadership compared to previous findings, which is very similar in all three countries. Nevertheless, there exists an interculturally shared view of a female-specific leadership competence according to which women possess a higher person orientation than men. The self-descriptions of the female and male management students regarding person- and task-oriented traits were found to be very similar.

Citation

Sczesny, S., Bosak, J., Neff, D., & Schyns, B. (2004). Gender Stereotypes and the Attribution of Leadership Traits: A Cross-Cultural Comparison. Sex Roles, 51(11-12), 631-645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-004-0715-0

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Dec 1, 2004
Deposit Date Nov 29, 2010
Journal Sex Roles
Print ISSN 0360-0025
Electronic ISSN 1573-2762
Publisher Springer
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 51
Issue 11-12
Pages 631-645
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-004-0715-0
Keywords Leadership, Self-perception, Gender role attitudes, Stereotyped attitudes, Cross cultural psychology.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1545567