Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Tokens in the tower: Perceptual processes and interaction dynamics in academic settings with `Skewed', `Tilted' and `Balanced' sex ratios

Hewstone, Miles, Crisp, Richard J., Contarello, Alberta, Voci, Alberto, Conway, Laura, Marletta, Giorgia, Willis, Hazel (2006) Tokens in the tower: Perceptual processes and interaction dynamics in academic settings with `Skewed', `Tilted' and `Balanced' sex ratios. Group Processes and Intergroup Relations, 9 (4). pp. 509-532. ISSN 1368-4302. (doi:10.1177/1368430206067558) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:4060)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://gpi.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/9/4/50...

Abstract

We tested Kanter's (1977a, 1977b) theory concerning the effects of group proportions (sex ratios) on visibility, polarization and assimilation, using natural groups of women and men in academia. Study 1 compared male-skewed and male-tilted settings and found evidence of greater polarization by minority women than majority men. The only effect of group proportions occurred for perceived dispersion as a measure of assimilation; replicating Brown and Smith (1989), men showed an out-group (OH), and women an in-group (IH), homogeneity effect, and both effects were accentuated in the skewed setting. Study 2 extended the research to include male-skewed, male-tilted, balanced and female-tilted sex ratios. Men's OH effect declined as relative out-group size increased, and women's IH effect declined as relative in-group size increased. There was also a linear decrease in relative perceived in-group impact and status as actual relative in-group size declined. We discuss our findings with respect to the validity of Kanter's theory, gender and group size as moderators of perceived variability, and methodological issues in studying diversity.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1177/1368430206067558
Uncontrolled keywords: gender; group size; in-group homogeneity; out-group homogeneity; perceived variability; sex ratios; tokenism
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: R.J. Crisp
Date Deposited: 04 Sep 2008 11:30 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:42 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/4060 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Crisp, Richard J..

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.