Sex‐role Attitudes, Values and Instrumental‐expressive Traits of Women Trainees in Traditional vs Non‐traditional Programmes

Abstract

Cette étude a porté sur les attitudes liées au sexe, les traits expression‐instrumentalité, les valeurs et l'espoir de pouvoir exprimer ses valeurs à travers les rôles de 1'existence chez 151 étudiantes se préparant à travailler dans des secteurs non traditionnels (moins de 25% de femmes). Le groupe témoin comprenait 135 élèves‐infirmières/aides soignantes et autres de secteurs traditionnels pour les femmes. Les résultats ont fourni une validation empirique importante de l'utilité de constructions hypothétiques telles que les valeurs, l'espoir d'exprimer ses valeurs à travers les rôles de 1'existence, et confirmé la pertinence des attitudes liées au sexe et des traits expression‐instrumentalité pour l'étude des choix professionnels de femmes orientées vers des formations à des métiers traditionnellement féminins ou non. Les conséquences théoriques et sociales de ces découvertes sont discutées à partir de la théorie de 1'image de soi de Super. Les attitudes liées au sexe et les traits expression‐instrumentalité peuvent être pensés comme réfléchissant un mécanisme filtrant l'expression des valeurs, mécanisme qui fait que certaines options sont des solutions plus ou moins appropriées pour donner à l'individu la possibilité de réaliser ses valeurs. This study focuses on the sex‐role attitudes, instrumental‐expressive traits, values, and value‐attainment expectations through life‐roles, of 151 female trainees in “non‐traditional” occupational areas (less than 25% female workers). The comparison group consisted of 135 female trainees in Nursing/Nursing assistance—“traditional” occupational areas for women. The results provide important empirical validation for the utility of theoretical constructs such as values, and value‐attainment expectations through life‐roles, and supports the significance of sex‐role attitudes and instrumental‐expressive traits in the examination of vocational behaviour of women in non‐traditional as compared to traditional areas of job training. The theoretical and social implications of these findings are discussed in the light of Super's Self‐concept theory and the notion that sex‐role attitudes and instrumental/expressive traits can be thought of as reflecting a value‐expressive filtering mechanism that portrays certain options as appropriate, and others as less appropriate routes leading individuals to the fulfilment of their values.

Social dominance orientation and the political psychology of gender: A case of invariance?

“…Such gender differences have been found by Adams, Steward, Morrison, and Farquhar (1991), Carlson (1971), Eagly and Steffen (1986), Gerber (1991), Lau and Wong (1992), and Lii and Wong (1982). Quite similar gender differences have also been described in terms of expressiveness (i.e., altruism, helpfulness, expression of warmth and emotions, and empathy in dealing with others) versus instrumentality (i.e., assertiveness, self-confidence, standing up for convictions, leadership, competence, rationality, interest in politics and natural sciences, aggressiveness, ambition, and competitiveness; Chatterjee & McCarrey, 1991; Frable, 1989; McCreary, 1990; Spence, Helmreich, & Stapp, 1975, see also Schenk & Heinisch, 1986; Spence, 1991; Turner & Turner, 1982).…”

Relationship of personal agency, problem-solving appraisal, and traditionality of career choice to women's attitudes toward multiple role planning.

“…Studies in the area of women's career development link personal agency to the pursuit of highly career-oriented and often male-dominated occupational choices (Chatterjee & McCarrey, 1991; Lemkau, 1983; Marshall & Wijting, 1980) as well as to career decision making that is characterized by a realistic match between ability and aspiration level (Betz, Heesacker, & Shuttleworth, 1990). Farmer (1985), in developing her model of career motivation for women, found that personal variables, particularly an independent, agentic sex role orientation and a competitive personality style, exerted the strongest influence on female career commitment.…”

Psychological Distress, Burnout, and Academic Performance in First Year College Students

“…However, it is agreed that women tend to show significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion and lack of personal fulfillment at work, and men show higher levels of depersonalization [ 54 ]. This could be explained by gender stereotypes that consider women to be more emotionally sensitive [ 55 ].…”