Abstract
Previous research found that a success orientation in a competent female did not consistently detract from or enhance her personal attractiveness. In the first experiment of the present study it was proposed that these findings may suggest a subtle bias against women in that a desire for success is treated ambivalently in women but not in men. A description of a competent person was presented to both male and female subjects. The person described was either a male or female who was either success-oriented or non-success-oriented. The results indicated that a success orientation generally was evaluated more favorably than a non-success orientation, regardless of the sex of the person. A second experiment was performed in which the relationship between a success orientation in a male and female and romantic attractiveness was examined directly. Results showed that a female who desired success was expected to have more difficulty in getting married than a female who did not desire success. In a male a success orientation was perceived as increasing the likelihood of marriage. However, these differences were not associated with other measures of romantic attraction. The overall pattern of results from both experiments suggests that the beliefs about traditional sex roles are changing.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aronson, E., Willerman, B., & Floyd, J. The effect of a pratfall on increasing interpersonal attractiveness. Psychonomic Science, 1966, 4, 227–228.
Deaux, K. To err is humanizing. But sex makes a difference. Representative Research in Social Psychology, 1972, 3, 20–28.
Feather, N. T., & Simon, J. G. Reactions to male and female success and failure in sex-linked occupations: Impressions of personality, causal attributions, and perceived likelihood of different consequences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1975, 31, 20–31.
Helmreich, R., Aronson, E., & Lefan, J. To err is humanizing — sometimes: Effects of self-esteem, competence, and a pratfall on interpersonal attractiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1970, 16, 259–264.
Horner, M. S. Femininity and successful achievement: A basic inconsistency. In J. M. Bardwick et al. (Eds.), Feminine personality and conflict. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 1970.
Horner, M. S. The motive to avoid success and changing aspirations of college women. In J. M. Bardwick (Ed.), Readings on the psychology of women. New York: Harper and Row, 1972.
Komarovsky, M. Cultural contradictions and sex roles: The masculine case. American Journal of Sociology, 1973, 78, 873–884.
Mettee, D., & Wilkins, P. C. When similarity “hurts”: Effects of perceived ability and a humorous blunder on interpersonal attractiveness. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1972, 22, 246–258.
Peplau, L. A. The impact of fear of success, sex-role attitudes and opposite-sex relationships on women's intellectual performance: An experimental study of competition in dating couples. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, 1973.
Shaffer, D., & Wegley, C. Success orientation and sex-role congruence as determinants of the attractiveness of competent women. Journal of Personality, 1974, 42, 586–600.
Spence, J. P. The Thematic Apperception Test and attitudes toward achievement in women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1974, 42, 427–437.
Spence, J. T., & Helmreich, R. Who likes competent women? Competence, sex-role congruence of interests, and subjects' attitudes toward women as determinants of interpersonal attraction. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 1972, 2, 197–213.
Watkins, B. T. This year's freshmen reflect new views of women's role. Chronicle of Higher Education, February 1976, 3–4.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
The authors would like to thank Drs. Ross Vasta, Eugene Grossman, and Bud Covner for their critical comments on earlier drafts of this paper.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Michelini, R.L., Eisen, D. & Snodgrass, S.R. Success orientation and the attractiveness of competent males and females. Sex Roles 7, 391–401 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288067
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288067