Communal Responsiveness in Relationships with Female versus Male Family Members

Abstract

Two studies of college students in the US utilized a new methodological approach in which participants arranged their multiple family members (i.e. parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles) within a series of relationship network grids. These grids measured participants' own feelings of communal responsiveness toward and perceived feelings of communal responsiveness from each family member relative to one another. The results of Study 1 (N = 86) and Study 2 (N = 111) supported the hypotheses that (1) people perceive more responsiveness from female family members than from male family members and (2) people feel more responsive toward female than toward male family members. Study 2 provided evidence that these associations were mediated by felt and perceived intimacy, dependence, and obligation, but not liking.

Why Do Men Benefit More from Marriage Than Do Women? Thinking More Broadly About Interpersonal Processes That Occur Within and Outside of Marriage

“…Multiple lines of research provide evidence for the idea that women benefit more from close relationships outside of their marriages than men do. Research shows that women feel closer to others (Monin et al 2008), give (Wellman and Wortley 1990) and receive more social support (Turner and Marino 1994), and are more likely to have confidants (Booth 1972) outside of their marriages than men are. Our work also suggests that women are more likely to express their emotions outside of their marriages than men are (Monin, Feeney, & Clark, unpublished data).…”

“…parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents) within a series of relationship network grids (Monin et al 2008). These grids measured participants' own feelings of communal responsiveness toward their family members and perceived feelings of communal responsiveness from each family member relative to one another.…”

Fixed Roles and Situated Actions

“…Evidence from other countries with industrial, agricultural, and mixed economies shows similar gender definitions in Turkey (Ozkan and Lajunen 2005), Korea (Chong 2006;Hovland et al 2005;Kim and Lowry 2005), Canada and families (Cunningham 2008;Mannon 2006;Monin et al 2008;Raffaelli and Ontai 2004), choosing a college major and a career (Bettinger and Long 2005;Correll 2001Correll , 2004England and Li 2006;Mahaffy 2004), being hired competitively for jobs (Foschi 2000;Gorman and Kmec 2007), educational success (Buchmann et al 2008), work authority (DiTomaso et al 2007;Heilman and ParksStamm 2007;Jackson et al 2007;Smith 2002), or earnings (Rosenfeld et al 2004;Stickney and Konrad 2007).…”

“…While most of the evidence of differences comes from studies conducted in the US, the research from other countries cited above (and later) makes it plausible to conclude that the social positions of women and men are comparable in other societies, sometimes more sharply differentiated and sometimes less so. Some studies examine mechanisms producing gender differences in outcomes (e.g., Cunningham 2008;Kane 2006;Monin et al 2008;Parsons 1942), while others do not (e.g. Edwards and Hamilton 2004;Ridgeway 2007;Ogletree and Drake 2007).…”

Communal Strength Norms in the United States and Egypt

“…Specifically we chose to look at expectations for communal strength towards the spouse, the mother, and a best friend. We chose to look at maternal relationships instead of paternal relationships given evidence that people tend to feel a greater obligation and duty to care for females relative to males (Monin et al, 2008), and because mothers most likely have the unique status of being the participant's primary caregiver since birth. We chose to include the best friend relationship as a comparison condition.…”