Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Committee Chair
JoNell Strough
Abstract
The current study examined age and sex differences in communal interpretations (statements focusing on the needs of others), and whether participants' femininity mediated these differences. One hundred and ninety six participants, 121 younger adults (M=19.26, SD=131: 53 M, 68 F) and 75 older adults (M=73.74, SD=7.65: 36 M, 39 F), were given a vignette regarding a hypothetical job relocation problem that involved either a male or female protagonist. To assess interpretations, participants were asked to indicate all the issues to be considered. The degree to which interpretations reflected communal concerns was coded. Results showed that women had higher communal interpretation scores and higher femininity means than did men in the study. Femininity was not demonstrated as a mediator of age and sex differences in communal interpretations. Implications for understanding how interpretations may affect the problem-solving process and implications for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Flinn, Jennifer A., "Examining problem-solving interpretations: The role of age, sex, and femininity" (2006). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 4227.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/4227