Although research suggests that men and women are perceived as differing significantly on a number of traits or characteristics, little research relates these traits to observable behaviors. The trait-characteristic issue, when carried over to employment, serves to justify discrimination against women. Research on attribution theory also supports discrimination, suggesting women attribute success to luck while men attribute success to ability. Research has further found that males have higher expectancy of intellectual and academic reinforcement than females; little data is available on the relationship between expectancy and performance. Most psychological theories espouse sex differences that have no behavioral referrents, thus contributing to the maintenance of discriminatory practices. A behavioral approach which eliminates qualitative constructs and emphasizes directly measurable variables and conditions is needed to eliminate discriminatory practices against women. (Author/NRB)