Differences in Evaluations between a Female Communal vs Female Agentic Applicant

Hulzebosch, Greetje Zwanet (2023) Differences in Evaluations between a Female Communal vs Female Agentic Applicant. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

In the current study, differences in evaluations between a communal- and agentic female CV are tested. Based on the Social Role Theory, women are traditionally expected to be communal, and not agentic. However, recent trends show that women are seen as more competent than formerly and that women are as equal agentic as men. Based on previous research and theories, I propose that either the agentic or the communal CV will be evaluated more positively in terms of competence, hireability, likeability, and salary conferral. In addition, I expect that participants’ gender would have a moderating effect on the outcomes because of the concept of ingroup favoritism, suggesting women evaluate other women more positively than men evaluating women. I conducted an exploratory analysis to test the moderation effect of participants’ rated masculinity and femininity on the evaluations of the CVs. I conducted an online experiment (N = 105) in which I manipulated personal traits of an applicant (agentic vs communal), applying for a teaching position. Results showed that the agentic applicant received in overall terms more positive evaluations than the communal CV. Separate analyses showed non-significant differences in evaluations among the two CVs. Additionally, females tend to evaluate other females more positively on competence and likeability than men evaluating females. Femininity of female participants showed a significant effect on the competence of the communal applicant, masculinity of male participants showed non-significant moderating effects on the outcomes. I conclude that agentic traits are preferred over communal traits in a hiring situation. I discuss the implication of awareness of one’s own biases. Future directions should replicate the experiment with a larger and more diverse sample.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Graso, M.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology (WOP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	10 Jul 2023 14:24
Last Modified:	10 Jul 2023 14:24
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2296

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