Transcending the Effects of Sex Composition in Small Groups

Abstract

A review of recent literature (1976 to 1982) on the topic of sex composition of small groups summarizes three theoretical explanations for male-female differences in same and mixed sex groups (including sex role differentiation; status characteristics/expectation states theory; and Kanter's structural/numerical proportions model); and five categories of empirical findings (including non-verbal effects; verbal interaction frequency and content; negative assessments of influential females; negative consequences of "token" or "solo" status for females; and contradictions in findings regarding all-female groups). Interventions for transcending group sex composition effects are identified for both women and men in mixed and same sex groups. Conclusions call for additional research, utilizing methods with high internal and external validity, on the effects of sex composition in treatment and "real-world" work groups.