Scheduled for Research Consortium Psychology and Sociocultural Poster Session, Wednesday, April 26, 2006, 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Area I


Examining the Influence of Training Content on Attitudes Toward Title IX

Andrew O. Fitzgerald and George B. Cunningham, Texas A&M University-College Station, College Station, TX

Despite the increased presence of employee differences, diversity initiatives, and diversity training in organizations, research has shown that reactions to diversity training programs are oftentimes mixed. For example, several studies have found that participants' demographics influenced the perceived need for training and reactions to it. Additional research has demonstrated that both the content of the training program and the manner in which the program is framed can influence subsequent participant reactions. Overall, this literature has shown that, despite the noted benefits of diversity training to the individual, group, and organization as a whole, there are oftentimes negative attitudes toward such training. Furthermore, a review of the literature shows little training research in the sport context, and this is especially true when it comes to training related to diversity issues. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to extend this literature by examining the influence of the actual content of the Title IX training on subsequent reactions. Title IX training is important within the sport context because of its wide influence within that domain. Furthermore, because of its importance, various organizations have offered varied opinions (both positive and negative) regarding the law. In this study, we altered the content of three different training packets related to Title IX and assessed participant attitudes toward Title IX, perceived fairness of the law, and beliefs that the law should be changed. Data were collected from 246 students who participated in an experiment in which the Title IX training varied by content. Results of a 3 (condition: positive, balance, negative) x 2 (sex: male, female) MANOVA showed significant main effects for condition and sex, but not for a condition x sex interaction. As expected the content of the training packet influenced subsequent reactions, with persons receiving the packet with mostly positive information having more positive attitudes than their counterparts who received packets with mostly negative or with balanced information. Furthermore, persons who received packets with balanced information also differed from those who received packets with mostly negative information. Women had more favorable attitudes toward Title IX, across conditions, than did men. Finally, structural equation modeling showed that perceived fairness of the law mediated the relationship between attitudes toward Title IX and beliefs that Title IX should be changed. The results point to the importance of training content and the framing of Title IX on subsequent participant reactions. Additional implications for theory and practice are presented.
Keyword(s): gender issues, legal issues, sport management

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