Gender differences in interpersonal complementarity within roommate dyads.
Complementarity theory proposes specific hypotheses regarding interpersonal styles that will result in successful relationships. The present study sought to extend previous research on gender differences in complementarity through the examination of same-sex peer dyads and the use of informant reports of interpersonal style. One hundred twenty participants (30 male and 30 female roommate dyads) completed interpersonal circumplex ratings of their roommates and a relationship cohesion measure. Examinations of complementarity indicate that women reported significantly more complementarity than men within their roommate dyads. However, for men and women, the closer the dyad was to perfect complementarity in terms of dominance, the more cohesive the relationship. Results are discussed in relation to gender differences in social development.
Ansell
Emily B
EB
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8098, USA. emily.ansell@yale.edu
Kurtz
John E
JE
Markey
Patrick M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002605:Character; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012930:Social Dominance; D012931:Social Environment; D012933:Social Identification