Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human nature that can influence various aspects of life, including career performance. While some professionals may perceive sexual relationships as detrimental to their success, others see them as beneficial.
How do these interactions impact individuals' perceptions of competence, credibility, and professional legitimacy? This article delves into this issue, exploring empirical evidence from psychological studies and real-world examples.
Competence
Research has shown that romantic partners often view each other positively, regardless of their actual abilities or skills. According to an experiment conducted by social psychologists Walster, Aronson, Abrahams, and Traupman, participants who had positive feelings towards one another were more likely to overestimate their partner's competence than those without such feelings. In the workplace, this bias could lead to subordinates viewing managers favorably simply because they are involved sexually, even if the latter does not possess superior expertise.
A manager who initiates a relationship with a subordinate might be seen as more capable due to their personal connection rather than objective criteria.
Credibility
Romantic involvement can affect perceptions of credibility in the workplace. As suggested by evolutionary psychology, humans have evolved to value physical attractiveness as a sign of health and reproductive fitness, which translates into social status and authority. Therefore, people who possess physical traits traditionally associated with attractiveness (such as height, facial symmetry) may be viewed as more credible than others.
Sexually active professionals may be perceived as confident and powerful, which contributes to their perceived credibility.
Legitimacy
Sexual relationships may influence individuals' perceptions of professional legitimacy. Sexuality is closely linked to authority and power, as demonstrated by studies on priming effects. When individuals experience a sense of intimacy or dominance, they often see themselves as higher up in a hierarchy. This can impact how they evaluate their own performance and that of others, leading them to consider certain behavior more acceptable or desirable.
A doctor who has an affair with a patient could be judged less harshly for engaging in unethical practices like prescribing unnecessary medication.
Can sexual relationships alter perceptions of competence, credibility, and professional legitimacy?
According to research studies, people may perceive individuals who engage in non-heterosexual sexual behaviors as less competent, credible, or even illegitimate than those who identify as heterosexual. This phenomenon is known as homophobia and can lead to various forms of discrimination towards LGBTQ+ individuals in both personal and professional settings.