THE EFFECT OF GENDER‐BASED TRAINING ON SELECTION DECISIONS

Reports on a study which sought to test the impact of gender‐based training experiences on selection decisions. Subjects evaluated the credentials of a job candidate for a management position. The training experiences of the three candidates were manipulated so that a third of the applicant materials were described as relating to a female with gender‐based or “women‐only” training; another third of the materials were described as belonging to a female with gender‐neutral training; and a final third were labelled as male with gender‐neutral training. Results suggest that female candidates whose training is not gender based may be viewed more positively because their behaviours appear more consistent with the male socialization view. Discusses the implications of these findings for women in management training and for managerial selection.