Prevention is Better than the Cure: The Development of Gray-Zone Situational Judgment Tests to Deter Sex and Gender Discrimination

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop a Situational Judgment Test (SJT) for gray-zone behaviors related to sex and gender discrimination in a military population. While not technically illegal, “gray-zone” behaviors are inappropriate and detrimental to morale and unit productivity, and they may act as precursors to sexual harassment or assault. Current training and legal procedures primarily focus on the response to sexual harassment and sexual assault. Less work has supported preventative measures to address and decrease gray-zone behaviors. This study targeted active-duty first-line supervisors, both enlisted and officers, because their responses to gray-zone behaviors can influence their subordinates and their unit’s climate. This article explains the process for developing context-relevant SJT scenarios, creating response choices, and scoring the SJT. The test was validated empirically by collecting data from 129 enlisted and 44 officers in the U.S. military. Results showed that the test has appropriate item difficulty and item-test correlation. It measures first-line supervisors’ ability to choose appropriate ways to respond to gray-zone behaviors related to sex and gender discrimination. Guidelines for development of SJTs, as well as additional uses of SJTs are discussed.