Collusion in close relationships: the impact of gender schematic processing on perceptions of influencing strategies

Individuals use various influencing strategies during decision-making processes in close relationships. Use of these strategies is based on past experiences and outcome expectancies and is structured by cognitive formations called a schema. Some research suggests that individuals have schema that are formed by gender-based assumptions which reflect expectancies regarding typical and appropriate behavior for males and females in close relationships. These expectations may affect perceptions of interactions in close relationships. A typical gender-schema includes an imbalance of power which may be reflected in an individual's selection of influencing strategies, with women using weak and males using strong strategies. In this context, collusion may exist to maintain a culturally appropriate balance of power which is facilitated by a gender-schema.

The present study tested four hypotheses designed to investigate the following phenomena: the impact of gender-schema processing and sex of subject on the family of origin functioning, influencing strategies and collusion in close relationships. A sample of 180 male and 180 female college students enrolled in introductory psychology and human sexuality courses completed the Hem Sex Role Inventory which assesses gender schematic tendencies in individuals. Subjects were given a scenario involving two script characters engaged in a social decision-making process. Each character used one of several influencing styles. Subjects then rated the script characters using the Adjective Checklist, the Impact Message Inventory (IMI), and indicated their perceptions of script characters behavior. Finally, subjects completed the Family Environment Scale which measures family-of-origin authoritarian, submissive and cooperative styles. Conclusions are drawn regarding the identification and evaluation of influencing strategies as these processes are influenced by gender and gender schema. Implications for inter-gender collusion are discussed.