Skip to main content

Sex and sycophancy: Communication strategies for ascendance in same-sex and mixed-sex superior-subordinate dyads

Sex Roles volume 6, pages 113–127 (1980)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine communication strategies for ascendance in same-sex and mixed-sex superior-subordinate dyads. The strategies, operationalized in terms of task and social facilitation, were derived from Bales' Interaction Process Analysis categories. Corollary data were collected relative to the subordinate's expected job satisfaction under male versus female supervision. Results indicated that (1) the perceived importance of task versus social facilitative strategies varied both within and across the four types of dyads, and (2) female subordinates expected to be more satisfied working under female supervision than did male subordinates.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price includes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Athanassiades, J. C. An investigation of some communication patterns of female subordinates in hierarchical organizations. Human Relations, 1974, 27, 195–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Athanassiades, J. C. The distortion of upward communication in hierarchical organizations. Academy of Management Journal, 1973, 16, 207–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bales, R. F. Interaction process analysis: A method for the study of small groups. Cambridge, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, B. M. Organizational life in the 70's and beyond. Personal Psychology, 1972, 25, 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bass, B. M., Krusell, J., & Alexander, R. A. Male managers' attitudes toward working women. American Behavioral Scientist, 1971, 15, 221–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, J., Cohen, B. P., & Zelditch, M., Jr. Status characteristics and social interaction. American Sociological Review, 1972, 37, 241–255.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berscheid, E., & Walster, E. H. Interpersonal attraction. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, G. W., Worthy, N. B., & Greyser, S. A. Problems in review: Are women executives people? Harvard Business Review, 1965, 43, 52–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, D. T. Systematic error on the part of human links in communication systems. Information and Control, 1958, 1, 334–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. R. Upward communication in experimentally created hierarchies. Human Relations, 1958, 11, 41–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, H. N. Communication in experimentally created Hierarchies. Human Relations, 1951, 4, 39–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Reilly, C. A., III, & Roberts, K. A. Information filtration in organizations: Three experiments. Organizational behavior and human performance, 1974, 11.

  • Orth, C. D., & Jacobs, F. Women in management: Pattern for change. Harvard Business Review, 1971, 49, 139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Read, W. H. Upward communication in industrial hierarchies. Human Relations, 1962, 15, 3–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, K. A., & O'Reilly, C. A., III. Failures in upward communication in organizations: Three possible culprits. Academy of Management Journal, 1974, 17, 205–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein, V. E. The relationship between sex role stereotyping and requisite management characteristics. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1973, 57, 95–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, E. B. The sex barrier in business. Atlanta: Georgia State University, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business, University of Louisville, USA

    Lyle Sussman

  2. Department of Speech and Theatre Arts, University of Pittsburgh, USA

    Terry A. Pickett, Irene Anchini Berzinski & Frederick W. Pearce

Authors
  1. Lyle Sussman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Terry A. Pickett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Irene Anchini Berzinski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Frederick W. Pearce
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors would like to thank Ralph Kilmann and John Grant, Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, for their assistance in providing subjects for this study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sussman, L., Pickett, T.A., Berzinski, I.A. et al. Sex and sycophancy: Communication strategies for ascendance in same-sex and mixed-sex superior-subordinate dyads. Sex Roles 6, 113–127 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288366

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00288366

Keywords

  • Social Psychology
  • Communication Strategy
  • Analysis Category
  • Social Facilitation
  • Male Subordinate