Summary of Gender Differences by Professor Laura Kray
Gender differences fall under two general axes. The first axis concerns the drive for
hierarchical differentiation (attainment of zero-sum resources, such as status, power, and
money). The second axis concerns the drive for social integration (belonging, social
connection, and taking care of others). The social integration axis corresponds most
closely with the notion of “beyond yourself.”
Hierarchical differentiation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Confidence: Men > women
Entitlement: Men > women
Desire for competition and/or dominance: Men > women
Initiation of negotiation: Men > women
Volubility as a function of power: Men > women
Fear of backlash: Women > men
Vulnerable to stereotype threat: Women > men
Target of deception: Women > men
Emotional instability, anxiety and depression: Women > men
Summary of hierarchical differentiation findings:
In general, men outperform women on measures related to this fundamental motive.
Additionally, women suffer more negative social consequences when they do assert
themselves and more of the negative psychological consequences associated with low
power and status.
Social integration
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Relational self: Women > men
Ethical standards: Women > men
Moral outrage in face of ethical compromises: Women > men
Moral character: Women > men
Empathy: Women > men
Supernatural beliefs (belief in God, destiny): Women > men
Democratic leadership style: Women > men
Equality of participation in groups: Women > men
Social intelligence (decoding nonverbal cues): Women > men
Summary of social integration findings:
In general, women outperform men on measures related to this fundamental motive.
Women define themselves in terms of their close relationships more so than men do and
women’s relational definition of the self impacts their ethics, concern for others,
willingness to share power with others, and openness to higher powers.
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