Effects of Sex-Role Stereotypes on Promotion Decisions: An Exercise

Abstract

An exercise was developed to identify some of the dimensions of sex-role stereotypes and their possible effects on the assessment of promotion potential. The exercise has been used in the classroom and in a conference setting. When used in the classroom, students tended to recommend the promotion of men over women. In contrast, participants in a conference on women in management recommended women for promotion over men. However, in both settings, candidates with “masculine” characteristics were recommended over candidates with “feminine” characteristics. It was concluded that sex- role stereotypes operate on at least two levels and have implications for both men and women.