When individuals perceive advice networks to be
highly centralized, they anticipate the familiar network
pattern of a star with ties radiating out to others from
the central actor. This image of a dominant actor at
the center of the network matches prototypes of men
leaders as controlling and dominant (Eagly and Karau
2002, Schein 1973), with high status and power (Eagly
and Steffen 1984). Because power and status differences
between individuals are particularly salient in centralized
networks, such contexts are likely to cue an expectation
of a male leader. Indeed, networks in which informal
power is perceived to be centralized in one or a
few individuals resemble the traditional, formal structures
of command-and-control that are associated with
male stereotypes about leadership (Schein 1973). These
hierarchical structures are readily perceived (Zitek and
Tiedens 2012) and tend to reinforce male gender stereotypes,
thereby placing men at an advantage over women
(Acker 1990).