Precarious manhood.
The authors report 5 studies that demonstrate that manhood, in contrast to womanhood, is seen as a precarious state requiring continual social proof and validation. Because of this precariousness, they argue that men feel especially threatened by challenges to their masculinity. Certain male-typed behaviors, such as physical aggression, may result from this anxiety. Studies 1-3 document a robust belief in (a) the precarious nature of manhood relative to womanhood and (b) the idea that manhood is defined more by social proof than by biological markers. Study 4 demonstrates that when the precarious nature of manhood is made salient through feedback indicating gender-atypical performance, men experience heightened feelings of threat, whereas similar negative gender feedback has no effect on women. Study 5 suggests that threatening manhood (but not womanhood) activates physically aggressive thoughts.
Vandello
Joseph A
JA
Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620-7200, USA. vandello@cas.usf.edu
Bosson
Jennifer K
JK
Cohen
Dov
D
Burnaford
Rochelle M
RM
Weaver
Jonathan R
JR
D000339:Affect; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012933:Social Identification; D055815:Young Adult