Browsing by Author "Goosen, Jeslyn C."

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    Positive direct contact between males and females in the sandf and the reduction of gender bias: the importance of self-disclosure, empathy and perspective taking.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Goosen, Jeslyn C.; Swart, Hermann; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The role of women in the military has dramatically expanded over the past twenty years (Matthews Edner, Laurence, & Rohall, 2009), and women are now enjoying greater representation in combat units. However, this greater representation is challenged by prevalent gender bias against women in the military, especially in patriarchal societies such as South Africa. This has a negative effect on the relations between male and female members in the military. The far reaching positive effects of intergroup contact and its prejudice reducing function in an array of intergroup interactions, more specifically cross-group friendships, have already been shown over the past sixty years (Allport, 1954; Hewstone & Swart, 2011; Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006, 2008). The present cross-sectional survey study aimed to investigate the effects of positive direct contact, specifically cross-group friendship, between male and female members of the SANDF on gender bias toward women in the military in general. Data from 223 male members of the SANDF stationed at Tempe Military Base, Bloemfontein, South Africa, were analysed using latent variable structural equation modelling (SEM). The results showed that the quantity and quality of interpersonal contact with a particular female member (closest female friend) in the military was significantly positively associated with more positive affect towards the particular female member (a relationship significantly mediated by reciprocal positive and negative self-disclosure). Affect towards the particular female friend was significantly positively associated with more affective empathy and perspective-taking towards females in the military in general, more positive attitudes towards females in the military in general, and reduced gender bias against females in the military in general. The results of the present study offer insights for interventions and programmes that could be employed within the SANDF to improve relations between male and female members of the SANDF, and to reduce gender bias against females in the military.