Interaction Patterns and Themes of Male, Female, and Mixed Groups

display the same interpersonal style when interacting with members of the same sex and members of the opposite sex. Through this endeavor we can gain a clearer understanding of the effects of sex role pressures on small group interaction. While common observation leads us to many stereotyped beliefs about how men and women behave in groups, research on small groups has paid relatively little attention to sex composition and group process. Several studies support the hypothesis that while men and women are capable of a wide range of behaviors, their differential socialization leads men to select more of a task emphasis and women to select more of a social-emotional emphasis in both family interaction and in mixed task groups (Parsons and Bales, 1955 ; Strodtbeck and Mann, 1956).