Date of Graduation

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

Committee Chair

JoNell Strough

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to address whether or not state measures of gender role orientation and goals for interactions change according to aspects of the social situation. The sample consisted of 40 males and 40 females (M = 19.5 years, SD = 2.10). The study utilized a within-subject design; each participant worked on a collaborative task with both a male and female partner. Participants’ state masculinity and femininity and goals for mutual participation, control, and task performance were assessed when working with a same-sex and other-sex partner. Participants reported more femininity when working with an other-sex partner compared to a same-sex partner. Participants’ goals changed according to the context of the interaction; they reported more mutual-participation goals when interacting with a female partner and more task-completion goals when working with a male partner. This study indicates that state femininity may vary according to the social situation.

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