Gender Configuration in Supervisory Dyads

Abstract

This study examined the effect of supervisor and supervisee gender - alone and in interaction - on (1)supervisees' preference for interpersonal influence strategies and (2)on global skill ratings of the supervisee. Supervisees were 68 interns (33 female; 35 male in 23 agencies. Each completed an instrument to assess his or her likelihood of using eight influence strategies when in a conflict situation with a supervisor. Each also provided a self-rating of over-all clinical skills and estimated how his or her supervisor might rate those same skills. Supervisors (N = 58; 25 female; 33 male) from those same agencies completed a parallel version of the instrument, rating their particular supervisee's likelihood of using strategies. Each also provided a rating of his or her supervisee's overall clinical skills. Consistent with earlier research, both the the supervisors and the supervisees perceived female supervisees to be more likely to employ a personal-dependent influence style; no other significant main or interaction effects for gender were found for any other method of influence. In global ratings, there were no interaction or main effects for gender in: (1) supervisees' self-ratings of skill; (2) supervisees' estimates of how their supervisor would rate their skill; or, (3) supervisors' ratings of their supervisees' skill.