New measures of sex role style assess the respondent's self-attribution of sex-typed interpersonal characteristics. In light of claims that androgynous roles are related to behavioral flexibility, the current study investigated the relationship between sex role orientations and performance in interpersonal situations. Males and females in each of four sex role categories (masculine-typed, feminine-typed, androgynous and indeterminate) role-played situations requiring the appropriate expression of either commendatory or negative assertiveness. Androgynous subjects were most effective in rated social skills components for both types of situations, while indeterminates were highly ineffective. Complex interpersonal situations apparently require the use of well-integrated masculine and feminine social skills. (Author)