Evaluation of Feminine Professional Competence as a Function of Level of Accomplishment

Abstract

This study extended prior work. 57 female and 39 male college students were given booklets containing articles from fields of traditional male, female, and neutral sexual association for evaluation. Authors of the articles were portrayed as either males or females, and as either students (attempting to accomplish) or holders of advanced degrees (accomplished). The main effect of traditional sexual association of the field and interaction between level of accomplishment and association of the field were significant. Female authors were evaluated more positively in female fields than in male fields, while male authors in female fields were evaluated more positively than males in male fields, by subjects of both sexes. In addition, contrary to the findings of Pheterson, et al. (1971), the work of females attempting to accomplish was evaluated more favorably than that of females who had accomplished.