Those who are number two try harder: The effect of sex on attributions of causality

Conducted 2 experiments to ascertain the causal attributions made by a total of 274 male and female undergraduates for identical performance (including success and failure) of males and females. In both experiments, Ss made attributions along 4 dimensions: ability, motivation, task difficulty, and luck. Whether evaluating undergraduates on an intellectual task (Exp I) or successful physicians (Exp II), Ss attributed greater motivation to females than to males. In addition, males perceived the female physician as being less able and having an easier task than the male physician. However, female Ss perceived the female physician as having a harder task than the male physician. Implications for attribution theory and the perception of professional women in our society are discussed. (17 ref)