Interpersonal responses to sexual harassment

Shereen Gay Bingham, Purdue University

Abstract

Sexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive and complex problem with many negative consequences. The eventual elimination of sexual harassment is dependent upon pursuing a range of solutions. This study examines interpersonal communication strategies victims can use to manage sexual harassment situations most effectively. The effectiveness of potential message options was conceptualized in terms of the instrumental, relational, and identity-related goals that victims of sexual harassment are likely to possess. An effective message was thus viewed as addressing multiple goals, empowering the victim, and reconciling apparent incompatibilities among multiple goals. Several typologies of message strategies were reviewed from literature on sexual harassment, assertiveness, intra-organizational influence, and interpersonal communication. A nine-category classification system for interpersonal responses to sexual harassment was developed based on O'Keefe's (in press) analysis of message design processes. Subjects evaluated examples of the nine message strategies for perceived effectiveness in four sexual harassment situations. Perceptions that the harasser would stop the harassing behavior generally did not vary as a function of the message variables examined. However, messages reflecting advanced reasoning about communication were perceived as more effective for managing relational and identity goals. Several individual-difference variables influenced perceived message effectiveness. Cognitive complexity interacted with message goal structure: highly complex subjects perceived as most effective those messages which provided face support for the harasser. Moreover, men viewed messages as more likely to achieve instrumental and relational goals than women. Finally, individuals who expressed more traditional sex-role attitudes saw the victim's message as more effective for maintaining relational rapport, and reported less favorable perceptions of the victim's competence, likability, and self-esteem. A self-report index of sexual harassment proclivity was developed. Men expressed a higher proclivity to harass than women. Moreover, as the likelihood of engaging in sexual harassment increased, individuals expressed more traditonal sex-role attitudes, attributed more blame to harassment victims, and indicated slightly less sensitivity to sexual harassment.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Burleson, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Communication

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