MEN’S STEREOTYPES OF WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT: ARE WOMEN AWARE OF HOW THEY ARE STEREOTYPED? by

It is commonly thought that men and women differ in the extent or frequency to which each exhibits various traits—especially traits that are frequently perceived to be more agentic and stereotypical of males (e.g., aggressive and forceful) or more communal and stereotypical of females (e.g., interpersonally sensitive and sympathetic). Further, stereotypes frequently influence behaviors, with many real-world consequences, not the least of which are those often manifested in the disparate treatment of men and women in the workplace. In a recent study (Martell & DeSmet, 2001), male MBA students rated male and female managers on 14 items considered important to achieving success as a manager. Because having a realistic job preview is an important component of success at one’s work, the present study explored the accuracy of Business and Management students’ perceptions of male stereotypes of female versus male managers’ leadership abilities. Results revealed a remarkable ability of respondents to closely predict the previous men’s responses. In comparing current respondents’ ratings to Martell and DeSmet’s males’ ratings, few significant differences were observed between men’s estimates of female managers’ abilities and the current respondents’ expectations of those men’s beliefs.