Are Women More Responsible Leaders Than Men?: A Study on Gender and Effects on Power Construed as Opportunity or Responsibility

A recent line of research suggests that power might have different meanings to people. More in particular, researchers distinguish between power construed as responsibility and power construed as an opportunity. Correlational research indicated that gender (identity) and, to a somewhat lesser extent, sex predict people’s power construal. The current study took an experimental approach to focus on gender differences in power construal, testing the hypotheses that a feminine gender identity is related to power construed as a responsibility and a masculine gender identity is related to power construed as an opportunity. First, participants described a situation in which they felt powerful (high power condition) or powerless (low power condition). Subsequently, we measured power construals and gender identity (TMF). This scale was a more modern and explicit measure of gender identity than similar assessments in prior research. Results indicated that femininity significantly predicted...Show moreA recent line of research suggests that power might have different meanings to people. More in particular, researchers distinguish between power construed as responsibility and power construed as an opportunity. Correlational research indicated that gender (identity) and, to a somewhat lesser extent, sex predict people’s power construal. The current study took an experimental approach to focus on gender differences in power construal, testing the hypotheses that a feminine gender identity is related to power construed as a responsibility and a masculine gender identity is related to power construed as an opportunity. First, participants described a situation in which they felt powerful (high power condition) or powerless (low power condition). Subsequently, we measured power construals and gender identity (TMF). This scale was a more modern and explicit measure of gender identity than similar assessments in prior research. Results indicated that femininity significantly predicted power construed as a responsibility, regardless of participants experiencing high- or low power. We found no evidence of biological sex or masculinity as predictor for power construal. Additionally, we controlled for possible confounding factors like power domain, stability of power and working field. However, the (combined) effect of sex and condition on power construal remained non-significant. Thus, the current research, making use of an experimental design, and different gender measure, found only weak evidence for a relation between gender and power construal. In conclusion, there might be stronger determinants of power construal than gender. This study discusses possible explanations and suggests alternatives for future research.Show less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

Are Women More Responsible Leaders Than Men? A Study on Gender and Effects on Power Construed as Opportunity or Responsibility