Putting gender into context: An interactive model of gender-related behavior.

A model that describes conditions influencing the display of gender-related behavior is presented as a supplement to existent models of sex differences. Whereas many previous models stress the importance of distal factors, our model emphasizes the degree to which gender-related behavior is variable, proximally caused, and context dependent. More specifically, we propose that gender-re-lated behaviore are influenced by the expectations of perceivers, self-systems of the target, and situa-tional cues. This model of gender-related behavior builds on theory and data in the areas of (a) expectancy confirmation processes and (b) self-verification and self-presentation strategies. Support for the model is presented, and suggestions are offered for its future development. Are men and women different, and if so, why? These seem-ingly simple questions have proved remarkably resistant to sat-isfactory answers, despite a long tradition of attempts. Investi-gators of some eras have emphasized differences between women and men, whereas those of other eras have argued for the essential similarity of the sexes. For example, in recent years one can observe a minimization of sex differences in the bench-