Effects of sex and personality on perceptions of emergent leadership, influence, and social power

Abstract

The contributions of rater sex and personality to perceptions of emergent leadership, influence, and social power were investigated in 96 undergraduates comprising 24 4-person groups that performed 4 tasks varying in process and output interdependence. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that rater sex, locus of control (Rotter's Internal–External Locus of Control Scale), and least preferred coworker (F. E. Fiedler's Least Preferred Co-Worker Scale) measures accounted for significant amounts of variance in social perceptions beyond that which could be explained by an objective measure of the ratee's leadership behavior and group performance. Results clearly suggest that evaluator characteristics may be important determinants of leadership perceptions and should be considered in future research. (24 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)