According to a study in the Journal of Applied Psychology (Vol 89), successful women who excel at careers in typically male-dominated fields are often unfairly characterized by others as unlikeable and untrustworthy. One of the study's authors, Dr. Madeline Heilman of NYU, noted that, "Success is OK for a woman if it's in an area that is not [seen as] off limits to them. What we are seeing is a reaction to their violation of stereotyped norms."
Indeed, the study found that the more competent the woman was at her job, the less likable she was rated by strangers. "The successful women were characterized as more selfish, manipulative and untrustworthy - your typical constellation of 'bitchy' characteristics," says Heilman. Conversely, women who weren't as successful at their jobs had higher likability ratings.
Now here's the kicker: while both men and women rated successful women as overall UNlikable in the NYU study, three other studies (most notable one from the American Journal of Sociology) found that, unlikeable or not, men rated more powerful, high-earning women as sexier and more attractive than their counterparts.
So where does this leave all you Wicked Women out there? For successful women in traditionally female-dominated careers, take heart: you tend to be viewed as successful, attractive AND likable!! But for women in male-dominated business and science industries, I guess you have to choose. Either you're going to be successful, attractive and loathed or unsuccessful and beloved.
Indeed, the study found that the more competent the woman was at her job, the less likable she was rated by strangers. "The successful women were characterized as more selfish, manipulative and untrustworthy - your typical constellation of 'bitchy' characteristics," says Heilman. Conversely, women who weren't as successful at their jobs had higher likability ratings.
Now here's the kicker: while both men and women rated successful women as overall UNlikable in the NYU study, three other studies (most notable one from the American Journal of Sociology) found that, unlikeable or not, men rated more powerful, high-earning women as sexier and more attractive than their counterparts.
So where does this leave all you Wicked Women out there? For successful women in traditionally female-dominated careers, take heart: you tend to be viewed as successful, attractive AND likable!! But for women in male-dominated business and science industries, I guess you have to choose. Either you're going to be successful, attractive and loathed or unsuccessful and beloved.