Research studies concerned with sex-role stereotypes have noted that behavior is often shaped by expectations others hold about certain individuals. In one experiment, female undergraduates who expected to meet attractive desirable men portrayed themselves as more feminine and performed less intelligently on a bogus IQ test when they thought the…

Identification of factors contributing to the timing of first contraceptive use by girls is an important consideration in structuring primary prevention programs to reduce teenage pregnancies. Interviews with 120 girls aged 12-19 in a study of sexual, contraceptive, and pregnancy decision making covered six areas: (1) demographic information; (2)…

Relationships between females and males are heavily influenced by the ways people perceive the possibility of sexual involvement. In the United States, a physical involvement across sexual boundaries is often conceptualized as a power relationship. Consequently, male-female sexual interaction may be perceived by the participants as a win-lose…

With the advent of the feminist movement it is probable that attitudes of women regarding mate selection have undergone significant changes in the 1970's. A replication of a study first conducted in 1939 which concentrated on the values and attitudes of females toward mate selection was updated using 935 single college females from 31 different…

The Edwards Personal Preference Schedule was used to examine the relation of the sex role stereotypes held by college men and women to the objective measurement of these stereotyped characteristics. Subjects perceived numerous differences between the average female and male, but very few differences between the ideal female and male. (Author/EB)

Undergraduates indicated whether or not they possessed 66 personality traits. Three weeks later, shown their trait list, another subject's trait list, a computerized personality profile derived from their traits, or another's profile, they rated how well their personality was described. The spurious personality descriptions (traits and profiles)…

Biographical interviews elicited information concerning personality characteristics that predispose women toward achievement-striving behavior, taking into account the effects of family, friends, and role models. The majority of women reported not fearing success, but most wondered if their achievements were worth it and at what cost. (Author/ABB)

Subjects described themselves and the ideal man, woman, and person on unidimensional scales of masculinity derived from the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Men were influenced more than women by the "target" of the ideal. All subjects other than traditional men characterized the ideal person as significantly more feminine than masculine. (CMG)

Women superintendents (N=82) provided information concerning their personal and career development. Results showed subjects reflected a more traditional orientation during childhood, youth, and early career development and appeared to have integrated masculine modes of behavior as they advanced to higher levels of authority and responsibility.…

Discusses the presentation of married, formerly married, and single male and female characters in prime time television dramas, specifically in relation to sexual stereotyping, occupational status, and regularly-emphasized personality traits. A brief review of similar research is given and the method of the study is summarized. (JL)

A study of masculinity and femininity characteristics and levels of self-esteem of female graduate nursing students found that students in high masculine/low feminine and high masculine/high feminine categories had higher self-esteem than students in low masculine/low feminine and low masculine/high feminine categories. (Author/MJL)

Compared Vocational Interest Inventory and Unisex versions of ACT Interest Inventory. Sex-restrictive results occurred. Women preferred Service and Artistic areas, and men Technical, Outdoor, and Scientific areas. Biggest challenge to reducing sex bias in interest tests appears to be women's attraction to People and aversion to Things. (Author/BEF)

A longitudinal study of the ego and cognitive development of boys and girls revealed that sex-different socialization practices cause the two sexes to create different premises about the world, develop different competencies, and use different cognitive structures to deal with new experience. (Author/WD)

Demonstrates that a situation-centered perspective provides a useful contribution in understanding women's lack of job mobility. Discusses the implications of situation-centered and person-centered research approaches for action directed toward change. (Author/BE)

The results suggest that mature women students may be more flexible in the sex-role identities and less tied to a nurturant, interpersonally oriented role but that they are not necessarily more ambitious, confident, or achievement-oriented than homemakers. (Author/DB)