Individual and Contextual Factors and the Efficacy of an Experiential Sexism Intervention

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a sexism-focused diversity training program. More specifically, this study examined the direct and indirect relationships between individual characteristics (i.e., gender, self-efficacy, and reactance), contextual factors (i.e., organizational diversity climate) and diversity training outcomes and training transfer. To test hypotheses, graduate and undergraduate students participated in a two-stage study (baseline and intervention stages), with the intervention consisting of a 90-minute sexism-focused diversity training workshop. Data from one hundred and forty participants were retained for regression analyses. Results suggest the workshop was generally effective at reducing endorsement of sexist attitudes, improving knowledge of gender inequity issues, and increasing intentions to engage in activism against sexism. Individual characteristics were also found to significantly predict training outcomes, although organizational diversity climate did not predict any significant effects.