THE IDENTITY CRISIS EXPERIENCED BY THE AMERICAN WOMAN, HER SEX AS A PERSONALITY PATTERNING AGENT, AND HER SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VOCATIONAL SELF-CONCEPT AS IT IS EXPRESSED THROUGH OCCUPATIONAL ROLES ARE EXAMINED. DURING AN 8-YEAR PERIOD, RESPONSES TO AN OPINION QUESTIONNAIRE (WITH INTERVIEW FOLLOWUPS) WERE GATHERED FROM 300 PEOPLE. THESE REVEAL THAT WOMEN PREFER TO BE SUPERVISED BY, AND WORK BETTER FOR, MEN. THEY DO NOT ACCEPT FEMALE AUTHORITY IN MANY SITUATIONS. THEY ARE MORE TOLERANT OF MISTAKES MADE BY MALE SUPERVISORS. BOTH MEN AND WOMEN FELT THAT WOMEN HAD DIFFICULTY WITH SUPERVISORY POSITIONS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT LEARNED HOW TO USE AUTHORITY. MORE THAN 75 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS CHARACTERIZED THE AVERAGE FEMALE AS BEING EMOTIONALLY UNSTABLE, OVERLY COMPETITIVE, INSECURE, AND PREOCCUPIED ON THE JOB WITH HOME RESPONSIBILITIES. THE SUCCESSFUL WOMAN "BEHAVED MORE LIKE A MAN" WHEN SHE WAS SECURE, POLITE, CALM, CASUAL, AND LOGICAL. THE STUDY CONCLUDES THAT SOME DEFINITION OF A FUNCTIONAL MODEL WHICH WOULD ENABLE WOMEN TO OPERATE IN A MAN'S WORLD IS NEEDED. THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE AMERICAN PERSONNEL AND GUIDANCE ASSOCIATION CONVENTION (DALLAS, MARCH 1967). (AO)