Date of Award

8-1-1974

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This investigation was designed to study help seeking behavior among women when they are in interaction with males and females. The behavior of women who differed in the personality traits of dependence and independence was observed. After psychological screening with the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule, sixteen independent subjects and sixteen dependent subjects were placed in an anagram problem solving situation in which it was possible to receive help. For one list of anagrams a male helper was present and for another list, a female helper was present. After completion of the anagrams, the subjects rated on 10-point scales their helpers for attractiveness, friendliness, intelligence, and poise. Three predictions concerning the subjects' dependent responses were made: (1) that the dependent women would request more assistance than independent women regardless of the sex of the helper; (2) that both dependent and independent women would request more help from male helpers than from female helpers; and (3) that the difference between amount of help requested from a male helper than from a female helper would be significantly greater for the independent subjects than for the dependent subjects.

None of these hypotheses were confirmed. However, the prediction (4) that there would be no difference in the abilities of the independent and dependent subjects in solving the anagrams was confirmed. It was concluded that the study should be repeated with a different measure of dependence/independence and additional measures of self-concept, achievement motivation and attitudes towards female roles should be included.

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