The Mentor/Protege Relationship: A Biological Perspective
- 1 June 1991
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Human Relations
- Vol. 44 (6) , 619-639
- https://doi.org/10.1177/001872679104400606
Abstract
The mentor/protege relationship can be conceptualized within the context of biological dimorphism with sex roles reflecting different reproductive strategies that evolved by natural selection. Mentor/protege roles mimic the male/female mating roles in humans, often causing conflicts that are seldom understood within the limited context of mentoring. This article examines similarities in reproductive strategies and mentoring in terms of demographics, selection criteria, and acquisition strategies. Underlying sexual themes are identified and their impact on the mentor/protege relationship discussed, along with implications and directions for future research.Keywords
This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit:
- Barriers to Mentoring: The Female Manager's DilemmaHuman Relations, 1989
- ROLE AMBIGUITY IN THE MALE/FEMALE PROTEGE RELATIONSHIPEqual Opportunities International, 1988
- Women and Mentoring: A Review and Research AgendaAcademy of Management Review, 1988
- Mentors in OrganizationsGroup & Organization Studies, 1984
- Mentors and Protégés: Power‐Dependent Dyads*Sociological Inquiry, 1984
- Mentorship: A Career Training and Development ToolAcademy of Management Review, 1983
- A Conceptual Analysis of the Mentor Relationship in the Career Development of WomenAdult Education, 1980
- On the utility of alternative procedures for assessing psychological androgyny.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1977
- Sex role adaptability: One consequence of psychological androgyny.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1975
- Encountering the Male Establishment: Sex-Status Limits on Women's Careers in the ProfessionsAmerican Journal of Sociology, 1970