Single-sex groups are something for the football pitch, not the office. It’s not the 1950s. Lots of research studies reveal the advantages of combined groups: amongst researchers, for instance, they produce more impactful research study.
Does it matter how blended they are? Yes, for the ladies in them, concludes remarkable American research study. In a number of experiments, undergrads were arbitrarily appointed to little (5 or 6 individuals) male- or female-majority groups, who then interacted for a duration as part of their research studies.
The scientists evaluated if gender balance impacted the viewed and real impact of males and females– by means of studies of the trainees.
The outcome? Male-majority groups do not pay much attention to ladies. Not just are ladies in those groups less most likely to be ranked as prominent (by other ladies in addition to guys), they are less prominent (ladies in male-majority groups were less most likely to move the group view towards their own).
Male in female-majority groups were 4 times most likely to be selected as a representative than ladies in male-majority groups (37% v 9%). The authors highlighted the threats of token efforts, such as including one ladies to a board controlled by males.
What about group management? Well, in one experiment a male or female group leader was selected, with huge results: “Assigning a female leader lowers the rate at which specific colleagues victimize ladies by more than 50%.”
This may, or might not, be an argument for the Conservative celebration (in which 7 in 10 members and 3 in 4 MPs are male) choosing Kemi Badenoch. Fortunately, I do not have a vote.
Torsten Bell is Labour MP for Swansea West and author of Great Britain? How We Get Our Future Back
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