Abstract
This study attempted to evaluate the progress of mental health professionals regarding sex-role stereotyping in clinical functioning, identified as a problem over 10 years ago by Broverman et al. (Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1970, 34, 1–7). A comparable format and questionnaire were used in order to replicate faithfully the earlier study and facilitate past-present comparisons. One hundred four psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers were randomly assigned to three instruction-set conditions in completing the Stereotype Questionnaire: sexunspecified adult instruction set, female instruction set, and male instruction set. No significant differences were found related to sex of clinician. A significant effect (p<.001) was found for social desirability and what was judged as healthy for sex-unspecified adults. No significant relationship was found, however, for social desirability of traits and conventional sex-role stereotypes. Based on the results of this study it is possible to speculate either that the Boverman results were primarily an artifact of their forced-choice methodology or that progress has been made in a more nonsexist direction among mental health professionals. Limitations of this research are presented and considered relative to the Brovermans' study. The basically attitudinal nature of this work is noted and the question is raised as to whether nonsexist attitudes are translated into nonsexist clinical functioning.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aslin, A. L. Feminist and community health center psychotherapists' expectations of mental health for women. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 1977, 3, 537–544.
Billingsley, D. Sex bias in psychotherapy: An examination of the effects of client sex, client psychopathology, and therapist sex on treatment planning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical psychology, 1977, 45, 250–256.
Broverman, I., Broverman, D., Clarkson, F., Rosenkrantz, P., & Vogel, S. Sex-role stereotypes and clinical judgments of mental health. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1970, 34, 1–7.
Cowan, G. Therapist judgments of client's sex role-problems. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 1976, 1, 115–124.
Davidson, D., & Abramowitz, S. Sex bias in clinical judgment: Later empirical returns. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 1980, 4, 377–395.
Delk, J., & Ryan, T. Sex-role stereotyping and A-B therapist status: Who is more chauvinistic? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1975, 43, 589.
Fabrikant, B. The psychotherapist and the female patient. In V. Franks & V. Burtle (Eds.), Women in therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1974.
Franks, V. Gender and psychotherapy. In E. Gomberg & V. Franks (Eds.), Gender and disordered behavior. New York: Brunner/Mazel, 1979.
Harris, L. H., & Lucas, M. E. Sex-role stereotyping. Social Work, 1976, 21, 390–395.
Hayes, K. E., & Wollent, P. L. Effects of sex in judgments of a simulated counseling interview. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1978, 25, 164–168.
Johnson, P. I. The relationship between sex-role stereotypes and concepts of mental health. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Tempe: Arizona State University, 1974.
Koschenak, S., & Masling, J. Noblesse oblige effect: The interpretation of Rorschach responses as a function of ascribed social calss. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1972, 39, 415–419.
Kravetz, D. F. Sex-role concepts of women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1976, 44, 437–443.
Maslin, A., & Davis, J. L. Sex-role stereotyping as a factor in mental health standards among counselors-in-training. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1975, 22, 87–91.
Maxfield, R. B. Sex role stereotype of psychotherapists, Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Garden City, NY: Adelphi University, 1976.
Nowacki, C. M., & Poe, C. A. The concept of mental health as related to sex of person perceived. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1973, 40, 160.
Rosenkrantz, P., Vogel, S., Bee, H., Broverman, I., & Broverman, D. Sex role stereotypes and self concepts in college students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1968, 32, 287–295.
Schwartz, J., & Abramowitz, S. Value related effects on psychiatric judgment. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1975, 32, 1525–1529.
Shoben, E. J. Toward a concept of the normal personality. American Psychologist, 1957, 12, 183–189.
Smith, M. B. Research strategies toward a conception of positive mental health. American Psychologist, 1959, 14, 673–681.
Smith, M. L. Sex bias in counseling and psychotherapy. Psychological Bulletin, 1980, 87, 392–407.
Steinberg, N. Male psychotherapists' anxiety in response to distinct client behaviors, Unpublished doctoral dissertation. California School of Professional Psychology, 1974.
Stricker, G. Implications of research for psychotherapeutic treatment of women. American Psychologist, 1977, 32, 14–22.
Thomas, A. H., & Steward, N. R. Counselor response to female clients with deviate and conforming career goals. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1971, 18, 352–357.
Whitley, B. E. Sex roles and psychotherapy: A current appraisal. Psychological Bulletin, 1979, 86, 1309–1321.
Zeldow, P. B. Clinical judgment: A search for sex differences. Psychological Reports, 1975, 37, 1135–1142.
Zeldow, P. B. Sex differences in psychiatric evaluation and treatment: An empirical review. Archives of General Psychiatry, 1978, 35, 89–93.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Phillips, R.D., Gilroy, F.D. Sex-role stereotypes and clinical judgments of mental health: The Brovermans' findings reexamined. Sex Roles 12, 179–193 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288046
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288046