Relational control sequences in sex‐typed and androgynous groups

This study examined the use of relational control modes in sex‐typed groups. The relational communication generated by sex‐type males, sex‐type females, and androgynes working in groups on unstructured tasks was analyzed according to frequency of use and sequential structure. The sex‐type male and the androgynous groups employ significant amounts of relational dominance and organize these into sequences of competitive symmetry. As predicted, the sex‐type female groups use relational submissiveness but do not organize this relational maneuver into predictable patterns.

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Mr. Ellis is Assistant Professor of Communication, Purdue University, and Ms. McCallister is Assistant Professor of Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo.