People react strongly to Hillary Clinton because she violates their expectations

Washington, Apr 5 : A new research undertaken by the University of St.Louis has come to the conclusion that Democratic presidential candidate invites strong reactions from most Americans because she violates people's expectations.

According to Professor Judi McLean Parks of Washington University in St. Louis: "People don't like to have their expectations violated, and that is the challenge Hillary faces."

Parks, a professor of organizational behaviour at the Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, further goes on to say: "The character traits we associate with people in leadership positions are stereotypically masculine, such as being assertive or competitive."

"If you (as a woman) behave in a masculine manner, then in some way or another, I'm going to think less of you, find you less likeable, and be less likely to hire you - all because you have violated the expectations of what a woman is supposed to be like," McLean Parks added.

The theory that Clinton is more likely to attract women than men doesn't necessarily hold up, she says. Both men and women tend to apply the same standards to female leaders.

McLean Parks notes that pundits and commentators on news programs are much more likely to criticize Clinton for being angry or strident than they would the male candidates.

"We even see Clinton apologizing for being a naughty girl. In politics, people get angry. They yell at each other. She's not allowed to do that because she is under a microscope for everything she does. As a result, she has to backpedal and soften what was a legitimate display of anger," McLean Parks said.

"In order to be seen as capable she's going to have to violate some expectations that go along with her gender. I think it's so telling when the pundits say that they like Hillary when she's vulnerable. But then think of the idea of commander in chief. Do you want your commander in chief to be ulnerable? No," she added.

ANI