Effects of Gender and Sex-Role on Tension and Satisfaction in Small Groups

Abstract

Role-strain and role-accumulation explanations regarding tension and satisfaction were examined in task-oriented discussions by groups made up of both sexes. Although gender had no effect on competitive behavior in matrix games or on tension and satisfaction in small groups discussing these games, masculine, feminine, and androgynous sex-roles as indexed by Bern's (1974) questionnaire significantly influenced these behaviors and attitudes. With the exception of tension releases, which are conceptually somewhat ambiguous, androgynous subjects were lowest in tension and highest in satisfaction. A follow-up experiment using all female subjects reproduced these results and also showed that masculine females were high in tension and dissatisfaction. Lack of adequate numbers of feminine males precluded a similar analysis for males. It is suggested that the advantages of role-accumulation experienced by androgynous subjects may result because the roles are internalized, and, therefore, may be transferred easily from one situation to another.