Sex-role stereotyping,the motive to avoid success,and parental identification

Fifth- and tenth-grade girls were compared with respect to three sex-role-related variables: sex-role stereotyping; the motive to avoid success; and one aspect of identification motivation — the desire to emulate the father versus the mother. These variables were seen as reflecting certain conflicts and problems associated with feminine sex-role socialization. Age-related increases in stereotyping, the incidence of fear of success, and desire to emulate the father rather than the mother were expected. The motive to avoid success was expected to be associated with low stereotyping and with rejection of the maternal model. In the results, significant increases with age were found in stereotyping and father preference. The expected correlates of the motive to avoid success were found, but in each case for only one of the two age levels. Findings were discussed in relation to difficulties associated with feminine development.