Sex, competence and opinion deviation: An expectation states approach

Abstract

This study examined the potential for augmenting women's influence potential in male‐dominated groups by increasing their demonstrated competence (internal status). Although they were not especially well liked in the sense of possessing high interpersonal attraction, women who were able to demonstrate high task‐related competence were treated with reason, friendliness, and few displays of dominance by the all‐male majorities. These findings suggest the potential for using internal status variables to alter patterns of interaction between men and women in decision‐making contexts.