Congruence Between Self-Image and Occupational Stereotypes in Students Entering Gender-Dominated Occupations

• Published in: Canadian journal of behavioural science Vol. 26; no. 1; pp. 142 - 162
• Main Authors: MCLEAN, HEATHER M, KALIN, RUDOLF
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa, ON Canadian Psychological Association 01.01.1994; Educational Publishing Foundation
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Education Work Relationship; Employment; Employment Opportunities; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender; Human; Human Sex Differences; Job Characteristics; Job Search; Nontraditional Careers; Occupational psychology; Occupations; Orientation. Selection. Evaluation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychosocial Factors; Self Concept; Self esteem; Self image; Self-Perception; Sex Roles; Sex Stereotypes; Sexual Division of Labor; Sexual stereotypes; Stereotyped Attitudes; Stereotyping; University students; Work (Attitudes Toward); Human; Profession; Choice; Social perception; Sex role; Self image; Vocational guidance; Stereotype; Career
• ISSN: 0008-400X; 1879-2669
• DOI: 10.1037/0008-400X.26.1.142

The purpose of the study was to assess gendered attributes in six occupational images and in the self-images of university students, and how the congruence of these attributes between self- and occupational images determines occupational choice. The Revised Interpersonal Adjective Scales (IAS-R, Wiggins, Trapnell & Phillips, 1988 ) measure interpersonal traits on two orthogonal dimensions: affiliation and dominance. Originally designed as a self-report instrument, the IAS-R was used by 500 university students to describe three female- (nurse, rehabilitation therapist, teacher), and three male-dominated occupations (engineer, lawyer, physician). Six distinct occupational stereotypes were found, with male-dominated occupations viewed as less affiliative and more dominant than female-dominated occupations. In a second study, a sample of 567 women and men entering these fields completed the IAS-R as a self-report measure. Analyses compared self-images to the six occupational stereotypes, and found the greatest congruence between self-image and intended occupation. Men, and generally subjects entering male-dominated fields, were less affiliative than women, or subjects entering female-dominated fields. Dominance did not differ between men and women, nor among subjects in different occupational fields. The results support the congruence notion of most vocational choice theories (e.g., Super, 1980 ) but point to the importance of gendered attributes of self- and occupational images, and the need for updated measurement of both. Implications for gender equity in the work force are discussed.