Has Anything Changed? Current Characterizations of Men, Women, and Managers

This study both replicates and extends research conducted by Schein (1973). 268 managers used a 92-item attribute inventory to rate 1 of 7 target groups: men (in general, managers, or successful managers), women (in general, managers, or successful managers), or successful middle managers. Results closely paralleled those of the earlier study, indicating that men in general still are described as more similar to successful managers than are women in general. Results also indicated that, although the correspondence between descriptions of women and successful managers increased dramatically when women were depicted as managers, they continued to be seen as more different from successful managers than were men. Furthermore, when women were depicted as managers, perceived differences in many attributes central to managerial performance persisted, dissipating only with an explicit indication of managerial success.