Final answer:
Women are often perceived negatively in leadership evaluations when they apply more directive and autocratic approaches, due to gender stereotypes and societal expectations that conflict with assertive feminine roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
In research on leadership evaluations, particularly with respect to gender, it has been found that women are often perceived negatively when they d. Apply the full range of leadership styles, particularly more directive and autocratic approaches. This is rooted in gender stereotypes and societal expectations. Research by Eagly & Johnson (1990) notes that while women tend to practice an interpersonal style of leadership, significant differences in evaluations occur when leadership style is classified as either democratic or autocratic, with women facing more criticism when adopting styles that are traditionally seen as masculine and assertive.
The likability trap addresses the double standard women face in leadership roles where they must balance between being assertive enough to be effective leaders but not so much that they are perceived negatively. Women embracing autocratic leadership styles can be viewed as violating gender norms, affecting their evaluations by others in the workplace. Boatwright and Forrest (2000), however, found that both men and women generally prefer leaders who use a combination of expressive and instrumental leadership styles, showing that the negative evaluation of women exhibiting directive leadership is more about societal perceptions than actual preferences.