A construct-driven investigation of gender differences in a leadership-role assessment center

• 成果类型: Article; Proceedings Paper
• 署名作者: Anderson, Neil; Lievens, Filip; van Dam, Karen; Born, Marise
• 署名单位: University of Amsterdam; Ghent University; Tilburg University; Erasmus University Rotterdam - Excl Erasmus MC; Erasmus University Rotterdam
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0021-9010
• DOI: 10.1037/0021-9010.91.3.555
• 发表日期: 2006
• 页码: 555-566
• 关键词: assessment centers; Gender differences

摘要

This study examined gender differences in a large-scale assessment center for officer entry in the British Army. Subgroup differences were investigated for a sample of 1,857 candidates: 1,594 men and 263 women. A construct-driven approach was chosen (a) by examining gender differences at the construct level, (b) by formulating a priori hypotheses about which constructs would be susceptible to gender effects, and (c) by using both effect size statistics and latent mean analyses to investigate gender differences in assessment center ratings. Results showed that female candidates were rated notably higher on constructs reflecting an interpersonally oriented leadership style (i.e., oral communication and interaction) and on drive and determination. These results are discussed in light of role congruity theory and of the advantages of using latent mean analyses.