GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PREFERENCE TO OFFER SOCIAL SUPPORT TO ASSERTIVEMEN AND WOMEN

Although gender bias is clearly evident in the provision of institutio nal social support, it is unclear whether such bias exists on a more s ubtle and interpersonal level. When women act appropriately assertive at work, they may actually alienate support. This paper reports an exp erimental study that addressed this general issue of social support am ong employed men and women. A sample of 61 males and 55 females (predo minantly white; N = 116), employed by four northeast Ohio employers pa rticipated. The extent of preference to offer support to assertive mal es and females was explored. An unexpected double bias was found, with each sex preferring to offer support to their own sex.