What personality characteristics among men are likely predictors of behavior involving sexual harassment? What types of harassment claims are more likely to be resolved in favor of the complainant?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers may vary.Some researchers suggest that authoritarian personality characteristics (such as a belief in obeying authority above all else) predicted men's self-reported likelihood of engaging in sexual harassment; men who reported higher levels of authoritarian characteristics are more likely to engage in sexual harassment. Other personality characteristics have also been associated with a greater propensity for sexual harassment, including more traditional beliefs about women's roles, more negative attitudes toward women, and less concern with social desirability. Men who are higher in hostility, particularly toward women, are more likely to engage in workplace sexual harassment under conditions of perceived unfairness on the job.To determine trends in workplace harassment claims upheld by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, a study of such claims from 1992 to 2006 was conducted. Results show a sharp increase during the 1990s, followed by a decline in the 2000s. This observed trend followed the political climate, with more progressive social policies in the 1990s and a more conservative agenda in the 2000s. Particular claims were most likely to succeed when the alleged harassing behaviors were serious, the complainant had supporting witnesses, and the complainant had notified management prior to filing formal charges. These findings were consistent with a subsequent analysis of 133 court decisions between 1974 and 1989. In addition to the three criteria distinguishing successful claims found in their prior study, they also noted that supporting documentation and management's failure to act following notification were important.