A preliminary study of hostility: The hostility ratio

Conclusion

The hostility ratio was consistently depressed or decreased by the presence of a male authority figure. Differences in the amount of decrease suggest that this was due more to personality and attitude than to position in the administrative hierarchy. A subsequent sequent study of positions is needed to clarify such an impression further. It is to be noted that female authority figures were not considered in relation to male authority figures.

The hostility ratio was significantly lower for nonclinical personnel than for clinical personnel employed in the same hospital. The possibility is seen that this may be due to less association with patients and hostile events, as well as to the factor of smaller department size and the proximity of these nonclinical employees to supervision.

A consistently present female-male differential is noted as a relative frequency of the ratio. The question is raised of whether this is due to male participation in a clinical, female type of occupation, or whether it may be the reflection of a real difference in the general population.