Preference for SameGender or OtherGender Partner in Seating Arrangements

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Preference for Same-Gender or Other-Gender
Partner in Seating Arrangements

• Dan Love, Beth Tuck, and Dwayne Guenther
• Hanover College

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Introduction

• Most previous research would indicate that
  individuals feel more comfortable around members
  of the same gender.
• Lee (2000) found that this desire for same-gender
  interaction was based on different needs in
  relationships.
• Carli (1989) found that personality differences
  between males and females influence prevalence of
  same-gender social interactions.

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Introduction cont.

• However, it does appear that many factors play a
  role in how comfortable we are interacting with
  individuals from the opposite-gender.
• Updegraff, McHale, and Crouter (2000) found that
  having an opposite-gender sibling provided
  opportunities for individuals to better relate
  with members of the opposite-gender.
• Zajoncs Mere Exposure Effect indicates more
  exposure to certain stimuli results in more
  attraction to that stimulus.

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Hypothesis

• We expected males and females to choose a seat
  next to someone of the same gender.
• We also expected that familiarity with
  opposite-gender individuals based on friendships,
  siblings, and romantic involvement might be a
  factor in choosing a seat next to someone of the
  opposite gender.

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Participants

• 23 total participants (10 males, 13 females)
• 2 participants excluded
• For all analyses N 21
• 20 participants were Caucasian 1 participant was
  African American
• Ages ranged from 18 21 years

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Procedure

• After receiving description of study,
  participants expected some form of social
  interaction in the study.
• Led to another lab room individually
• Participants entered the room and chose a seat
• Four chairs lined up at table
• Outside chairs had female and male items,
  respectively
• Two chairs available between for participants to
  choose

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Procedure cont.

• Experimenter recorded seat choice and gave out
  questionnaire
• 5 demographic questions
• 5 questions concerning potential variables
  effecting seat choice
• For example, participants were asked to list the
  gender and age of any siblings
• After questionnaire was completed, participant
  was debriefed

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Results

• Gender and seat choice unrelated
• 60 of males chose seat next to male objects
• 36 of females chose seat next to female objects
• Overall, participants chose seat next to
  same-gender 48 of the time
• ?2(21) 0.029, p 0.864
• No significant results found for other variables
• However, there was an interesting relationship
  between having opposite-gender siblings and
  opposite-gender seat choice

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Figure 1. Effect of having opposite-gender
siblings on choosing opposite-gender seat
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Discussion

• Results were not significant for our hypothesis
• Previous research on gender differences in social
  interaction have yielded mixed findings
• Clark (1994) found that preference for
  same-gender interactions are not prevalent after
  early adolescence.
• Borja-Alvarez, Zarbatany, and Pepper (1991) found
  that same-gender interactions are preferred over
  opposite-gender interactions.

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Discussion cont.

• Results for our secondary hypotheses were not
  significant.
• However, we did find some interesting trends
  namely, the effect of having opposite-gender
  siblings on seat choice.
• 73 of individuals having opposite-gender
  siblings chose seat next to opposite-gender
  objects

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Limitations

• Too few participants to fully examine topic
• Limited examination of contributing factors
• Structure of study could have been confusing
• Use of confederates might have helped clarify
  participants tasks in choosing a seat
• Nervousness of participants

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Further Research

• Further research could look into other possible
  factors influencing social interaction such as
  betrayal, personality type, androgyny, romantic
  attraction, etc.
• Further research could also more closely examine
  the effects of having opposite-gender siblings on
  comfort levels around members of the
  opposite-gender