What's Good for the Goose Is Not Good for the Gander

Solo Status as an Obstacle to Occupational Achievement for Males and Females

Bibliographic Data

ID3755789
AuthorsJennifer Crocker (0000-0002-6590-4647, Northwestern University), Kathleen M Mcgraw (Northwestern University)
Year1984
Volume27
Issue3
Pages357-369
Publication date1984-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/000276484027003007
OpenAlexW2029557326
LanguageEN
Citations received33
References cited9

As women and minorities enter occupations traditionally closed to them, they are increasingly likely to occupy positions of solo status (i.e., to be either the only member or one of a small number of their sex or ethnic group in a work situation). In this article, we consider the consequences of having solo status. We report the results of an experiment that varied the sex composition of task-oriented groups. The consequences of having solo status were markedly different for solo males and solo females. Solo females were unlikely to be group leaders; overall group satisfaction was lowest when a solo female was present; and gender-related issues were most likely to be raised in groups including a solo female. Solo males, on the other hand, tended to be integrated into the group as leaders, resulting in smoother group functioning. The implications of having solo status in terms of opportunity for professional advancement are discussed

Ethnic group · Goose · Sociology · Demography · Ecology · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Studies · Management and Organizational Studies · Psychology · Psychology of Social Influence · Social Psychology