Sexualized Communication
The act of communicating through sexually suggestive or explicit language and actions has become increasingly common among peers, especially online. This phenomenon is often referred to as "sexting" or "sexualized communication." While it may be fun for some individuals, there are significant consequences associated with this type of behavior. One such consequence is the impact that sexualized communication can have on peer evaluations, feedback interpretation, and performance appraisals.
Impact on Peer Evaluations
Peer evaluations involve comparing oneself to others based on their perceived characteristics, behaviors, or abilities. When someone engages in sexualized communication, they may be evaluated differently than if they had not engaged in this type of communication.
A woman who sends an explicit picture of herself to her male friend may be seen as promiscuous and less trustworthy, while a man who sends an explicit picture of himself to his female friend may be viewed as confident and attractive. These perceptions can influence how peers evaluate each other's contributions to group projects, job performances, or academic achievements. As a result, those who engage in sexualized communication may be penalized for their behavior, even if they perform well in other areas.
Impact on Feedback Interpretation
Feedback is important for personal growth and development.
When feedback comes from someone who has engaged in sexualized communication, it may be difficult to interpret accurately.
If a colleague gives feedback on a project that was done by someone who sent them an explicit message, they may view the work more positively because of the positive association between sex and success. This can lead to false impressions about one's own performance and potential career advancement opportunities. Similarly, if a student receives feedback from a professor who has been sexting with them, they may feel like their grade is inflated due to favoritism rather than actual merit. This can create confusion and frustration among students who do not understand why their work is being graded differently.
Impact on Performance Appraisals
Performance appraisals are used to determine raises, bonuses, and promotions. When an employee engages in sexualized communication with a supervisor, it can affect how that individual is evaluated during a review process. The supervisor may give higher ratings based on the perceived "favor" of having received explicit messages rather than actual job performance. Conversely, employees who refrain from this type of communication may be seen as less desirable due to lack of interest in socializing with their bosses. As such, those who do not participate in sexualized communication may face unfair disadvantages compared to their peers who do.
Sexualized communication can have significant effects on peer evaluations, feedback interpretation, and performance appraisals. Individuals should consider the potential consequences of these behaviors before engaging in them, both personally and professionally. It is important for employers and educators to take measures to address this issue by implementing policies that prohibit or discourage sexualized communication in the workplace or classroom setting.
How does sexualized communication influence peer evaluations, feedback interpretation, and performance appraisals?
Sexualized communication has been found to have various influences on peer evaluations, feedback interpretations, and performance appraisals. Firstly, it can lead to an increased sense of belongingness among members of a group. This is because sexualized communication often involves sharing personal experiences and preferences related to sex, which helps to create a bond between individuals who share similar interests. Secondly, it can also affect the perceived competence and skill level of an individual.