The construct systems of liked individuals were found to be more tightly organized than those of disliked others; that is, more of the terms used to describe liked co-workers were in the same three categories (considerate, personable, and integrity). That is, there was less variety in describing co-workers that were liked. 

Liked and Disliked Constructs

Gender was found to have the largest contribution for the differences of the descriptions of disliked co-workers--but not for liked co-workers.

Gender Differences in Descriptions

Contains results for the experiment:
- Construct systems for liked and disliked others
- Gender differences

Alma College

A study that investigated the differences in our construct systems in how we view liked and disliked co-workers. They looked at the role of cognitive differentiation, gender, job level, and upward mobility. 

Liked and Disliked Co-Workers

Sypher, B. D., & Zorn, T. E. (1988). Individual differences and construct system content in descriptions of liked and disliked co-workers. International Journal of Personal Construct Psychology, 1(1), 37-51.

Individual Differences and Construct System Content in Descriptions of Liked and Disliked Co-Workers

- Are there differences in the content of construct systems for more and less cognitively differentiated employees? 
- Are there content differences in the construct systems of high and low level employees?
- Are there content differences in the construct systems for employees that are more or less upwardly mobile?
- Do gender differences exist in the contents of construct systems for liked and disliked co-workers?

Research Hypotheses

Defines how specific ideas were defined and measured in this study: 
- Upward Mobility 
- Job Level
- Construct System Content

Constructs in This Study

Results: Sypher and Zorn 1988

- When describing liked co-workers, we tend to use more of the same terms/constructs whereas for disliked co-workers we use a more diverse array. 
- People at the lower levels of organizations tend to value more personable and considerate behaviors than people with higher-up level jobs. 
- Females value positive affect toward co-workers more than males do; subsequently, it seems to be related to communication behaviors. 

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