Abstract
An increase in perceived power in midlife was demonstrated among 60 middle-class Arab women in Israel. 20 of the women were young (age 20–40) 20 were middle aged (45–55) and 20 were older (60–80). Perceived power was studied using card 4 of the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). The TAT stories were rated on three dimensions of perceived power: security, inner strength, and interpersonal influence. Results indicate that the young Arab women ranked lowest in security and inner strength. There was a bigger difference between the young women and the two other groups than between the middle-aged and older women. In addition, all three groups, while describing men as having more interpersonal power and security, still described women as having more inner strength.
Keywords
Young Woman Social Psychology Arab Woman Interpersonal Influence Thematic ApperceptionPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
- Baker-Miller, J. (1988). Women and power. In M. Braude (Ed.), Women, power and therapy. New York: Harrington Park Press.Google Scholar
- Friedman, A. (1987). Getting powerful with age: Changes in women over the life cycle. Israel Social Science Research, 5, 76–86.Google Scholar
- Friedman, A., & Todd, J. (1991). The effect of modernization on the power of women: Kenyan women tell a story. Tel-Aviv University.Google Scholar
- Friedman, A., Tzuckerman, Y., Wienberg, H., & Todd, J. (1991). The shift in power with age: Changes in perception of the power of men and women over the life cycle. Tel-Aviv University.Google Scholar
- Ginat, J. (1982). Women in Muslin rural society. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Books.Google Scholar
- Hamilton, R. (1978). The liberation of women: a study of Patriarchy and capitalism. London: George Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
- Hesse-Biber, C., & Williamson, J. (1984). Resource theory and power in families: life cycle considerations. Family Process, 23, 261–278.Google Scholar
- Gutmann, D. (1987). Reclaimed powers: Toward a new psychology of men and women in later life. New York: Basic Books.Google Scholar
- Mitchell, V., & Helson, R. (1990). Women's prime of life: Is it the fifties? Psychology of Women Quarterly, 14, 451–470.Google Scholar
- Hussain, F. (1984). Introduction. In F. Hussain (Ed.), Muslin Women. London: Croom Helm.Google Scholar
- Lampart, A. (1981). Parental investment, relative vulnerability and maladjustment. Ph.D. dissertation, Tel-Aviv University.Google Scholar
- Rossi, A. (1980). Life span theories and women's lives. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 6, 4–32.Google Scholar
- Stowasser, B. F. (1984). The status of women in early Islam. In F. Hussain (Ed.), Muslem Women. London: Croom Helm.Google Scholar
- Todd, J. (1990). TAT stories as a measure of interpersonal power: Validity and interpretation. Paper presented at the Western Psychological Association Convention, Los Angeles.Google Scholar
- Todd, J., Friedman, A., & Kariuki, P. (1990). Women growing stronger with age: Effect of status in Kenya and USA. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 14, 567–578.Google Scholar
- Veroff, J., Reuman, D., & Feld, S. (1984). Motives in American men and women across the adult life span. Developmental Psychology, 20, 1142–1158.Google Scholar