The Achievement Motivation-Performance Relationship as Moderated by Sex-Role Attitudes

Abstract

This paper examines the moderating effect of sex-role attitudes in relation to the predictive validity of Mehrabian's (1969) achievement tendency scale for females. Women classified as non-traditional in sex-role orientation obtained a higher validity coefficient than their traditional counterparts vis-a-vis academic attainment. The findings were reversed relative to a social achievement criterion, with the traditional group obtaining the higher validity coefficient. The results are viewed as consistent with the assumed sanctions toward achievement inherent in traditional versus non-traditional sex-role expectations.