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Psychological Predictors of Sexual Harassment: Locus of Control and Sexually Permissive Attitudes in the Workplace

A study exploring psychological predictors of sexual harassment, focusing on locus of control and permissive attitudes in the workplace.

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    1 Psychological Predictors of Sexual Harassment: Locus of Control and Sexually Permissive Attitudes in the Workplace Based on the research presented in the study "Unwanted but Predestined or Explained and Prevented: Locus of Control and Sexually Permissive Attitudes as Predictors of Sexual Harassment Experience as Either Target or Perpetrator," discuss the relationship between locus of control, sexually permissive attitudes, and sexual harassment experiences (both as a target and a perpetrator). Specifically, examine how the psychological characteristics explored in the study may predict sexual harassment and influence severity perceptions. In your response, include an analysis of the role of locus of control as a moderator and mediator and the implications for organizational settings. Word Count Requirement: 750 - 1000 words.

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    2 Unwanted but Predestined or Explained and Prevented : Locus of Control and Sexually Permissive A ttitudes as predictors of Sexual Harassment Experience as either Target or Perpetrator. Unwanted but Predestined or Explained and Prevented : Locus of Control and Sexually Permissive A ttitudes as predictors of Sexual Harassment Experience as either Target or Perpetrator. Sexual harassment (SH) has been identified as one of the most serious problem s in the workplace which negatively affects productivity, work satisfaction, and overall psychological state of employees (Baker, Terpstra, & Larntz, 1990 ). However, despite increased awareness of both academicians and practitioners and their excessive efforts to address this issue, sexual harassment problems remain persistent over time ( Langhout, Bergman, Cortina, Fitzgerald, et al, 2005 ) . Empirical studies of sexual harassment in organizations have tended to focus on factors underlying perceptions of SH or examining its antecedents and consequences , including gender, age, marital status, severity perceptions, etc. ( Fitzgerald, Hulin, & Drasgow , 1994). At the same time, studies on psychological factors, such as locus of control, or sexual permissiveness, are virtually non - existing. However, since participants of SH “collisions” are humans, we need to study the psychological mechanisms which determine their behavior and account for becoming as either a target or a perpetrator . This, in turn, will help to not only explain severity perceptions but also predict sexual harassment incidents in the workplace. Therefore , this study has the following objectives. First, we set out to determine whether sexually permissive attitudes and locus of control may predict SH experiences as either target or a perpetrator. Second, we seek to shed light on why sexual harassment experience may influence SH severity perceptions by examining rates of change in sexually permissive attitudes (mediator). Finally, we are interested in investigating how reported severity perceptions of targets and perpetrators are different at different levels of locus of control (moderator) .

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