NCJ Number
162500
Date Published
1996
Length
23 pages
Annotation
After noting that a complete understanding of sexual harassment requires a multidisciplinary, multi-level synthesis, this chapter presents two models designed to identify various concepts and theories that have guided past sexual harassment research, so as to provide direction for future research and practice.
Abstract
Gutek and Koss (1993) advise the need for a better understanding of the processes that connect experiences of sexual harassment with psychological and organizational outcomes. Such research must incorporate multiple levels of analysis to examine impacts of personal, interpersonal, group, organizational, and societal characteristics. This chapter presents two models of sexual harassment processes in organizations; the first focuses on antecedents and theories of sexual harassment, and a second focuses on outcomes of sexual harassment experiences. These models were developed from the existing literature to provide a framework for organizing existing knowledge and to guide future research and intervention activities. The first model organizes explanations for sexual harassment and the important factors that tend to be associated with it. A discussion of types of sexual harassing experiences is followed by an overview of correlates of sexual harassment experiences. Theoretical explanations for sexual harassment encompass the factors of sex role "spillover," power and dominance, and sexual arousal. The second model organizes knowledge about the connection between sexual harassment experiences and negative outcomes of that experience, which may be mediated by many factors. Topics discussed include the victim's mental appraisal of the sexual harassment experience, the response style, and connections between response styles and consequences to the individual and organization. Implications of the models for research and intervention are drawn. The concluding section of the chapter provides an overview of the book as a whole. 70 references