Individual differences in gendered person perception: a multifactorial study
- Authors: Harper, Marcel
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:25:38Z
- Subjects: Sex (Psychology) , Gender identity , Sex role , Masculinity , Femininity , Social perception
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1520
- Description: M.A. , The psychological study of gender has evolved to comprise both dispositional and social cognitive perspectives (Morawski, 1987). Recent theoretical debates within these fields have centred on multifactorial and unifactorial conceptions of gendered factors (Spence, 1993), and the cognitive representation of gender (Howard & Hollander, 1997). This study aimed to investigate specific phenomena implicated in the above approaches. Firstly, it assessed the influence of using gender as a basic-level category (Fiske & Taylor, 1991) for the organisation of person schemas on other elements of the perceivers’ gender belief systems (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). These elements comprise the use of gender stereotypical perception of others, endorsement of traditional-sexist gender attitudes, and self-identification with expressive and instrumental personality traits (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). Secondly, the study aimed to explicate the structure of perceivers’ gender belief systems (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). To this end, multifactorial gender theories (Koestner & Aube, 1995), as explanations of the interrelations of gendered factors, were evaluated. Spence and Sawin’s (1985) multifactorial gender identity theory was specifically scrutinised in this regard. Hypotheses which were informed by sceptical accounts of the theoretical utility of the femininity and masculinity constructs (Spence & Buckner, 1995), gender transcendence theories (Ravinder, 1987c), robust multifactorial findings (Spence & Buckner, 2000), and recent advances in social cognitive theory (Higgins, 2000) were formed based on a review of the relevant literature.. Various self-report measures were utilised to address the research questions. A modified version of Kelley’s (1955) Role Construct Repertory test (Rep test), an Instrumental and Expressive scale (I/E scale) developed by Spence and Buckner (2000), a modified version of the Adjective Check List (ACL-M; Beere, 1990), the Attitudes toward Women Scale (AWS; Spence & Helmreich, 1978), and the Macho Scale (MS; Villemez & Touhey, 1977) were administered to a test sample of university students. The results of the study suggested that elements of the gender belief system relate to one another in complex patterns. Perceivers’ use of gender as a basic-level category was found to partially predict, along with their endorsement of traditional-sexist gender attitudes, the degree to which they implemented societal gender stereotyping. In addition, general multifactorial assumptions regarding gender (Koestner & Aube, 1995) were confirmed in that components of the gender belief system (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998) were shown to have varied interrelations depending on their specific properties (Spence, 1993). Multifactorial gender identity theory (Spence & Buckner, 2000; Spence & Sawin, 1985) received less support, and findings obtained suggested that its conceptions regarding femininity and masculinity as ineffable identity factors to be flawed. Alternative explanations of these findings that reflected gender transcendent and social cognitive insights (Frable, 1997; Freedman & Lips, 1996) better accounted for the results. In conclusion, the present study found considerable individual variance among perceivers’ use of gender as an important basic-level category for person perception. These differences in viewing males and females as fundamentally different human beings (Howard & Hollander, 1997) impacted on how targets (both known and less known) were perceived in terms of ostensibly gendered attributes. In addition, multifactorial conceptions of gender were supported as well as the contention that femininity and masculinity are not theoretically useful heuristics (Morawski, 1987).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Harper, Marcel
- Date: 2008-11-06T07:25:38Z
- Subjects: Sex (Psychology) , Gender identity , Sex role , Masculinity , Femininity , Social perception
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:14600 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/1520
- Description: M.A. , The psychological study of gender has evolved to comprise both dispositional and social cognitive perspectives (Morawski, 1987). Recent theoretical debates within these fields have centred on multifactorial and unifactorial conceptions of gendered factors (Spence, 1993), and the cognitive representation of gender (Howard & Hollander, 1997). This study aimed to investigate specific phenomena implicated in the above approaches. Firstly, it assessed the influence of using gender as a basic-level category (Fiske & Taylor, 1991) for the organisation of person schemas on other elements of the perceivers’ gender belief systems (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). These elements comprise the use of gender stereotypical perception of others, endorsement of traditional-sexist gender attitudes, and self-identification with expressive and instrumental personality traits (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). Secondly, the study aimed to explicate the structure of perceivers’ gender belief systems (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). To this end, multifactorial gender theories (Koestner & Aube, 1995), as explanations of the interrelations of gendered factors, were evaluated. Spence and Sawin’s (1985) multifactorial gender identity theory was specifically scrutinised in this regard. Hypotheses which were informed by sceptical accounts of the theoretical utility of the femininity and masculinity constructs (Spence & Buckner, 1995), gender transcendence theories (Ravinder, 1987c), robust multifactorial findings (Spence & Buckner, 2000), and recent advances in social cognitive theory (Higgins, 2000) were formed based on a review of the relevant literature.. Various self-report measures were utilised to address the research questions. A modified version of Kelley’s (1955) Role Construct Repertory test (Rep test), an Instrumental and Expressive scale (I/E scale) developed by Spence and Buckner (2000), a modified version of the Adjective Check List (ACL-M; Beere, 1990), the Attitudes toward Women Scale (AWS; Spence & Helmreich, 1978), and the Macho Scale (MS; Villemez & Touhey, 1977) were administered to a test sample of university students. The results of the study suggested that elements of the gender belief system relate to one another in complex patterns. Perceivers’ use of gender as a basic-level category was found to partially predict, along with their endorsement of traditional-sexist gender attitudes, the degree to which they implemented societal gender stereotyping. In addition, general multifactorial assumptions regarding gender (Koestner & Aube, 1995) were confirmed in that components of the gender belief system (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998) were shown to have varied interrelations depending on their specific properties (Spence, 1993). Multifactorial gender identity theory (Spence & Buckner, 2000; Spence & Sawin, 1985) received less support, and findings obtained suggested that its conceptions regarding femininity and masculinity as ineffable identity factors to be flawed. Alternative explanations of these findings that reflected gender transcendent and social cognitive insights (Frable, 1997; Freedman & Lips, 1996) better accounted for the results. In conclusion, the present study found considerable individual variance among perceivers’ use of gender as an important basic-level category for person perception. These differences in viewing males and females as fundamentally different human beings (Howard & Hollander, 1997) impacted on how targets (both known and less known) were perceived in terms of ostensibly gendered attributes. In addition, multifactorial conceptions of gender were supported as well as the contention that femininity and masculinity are not theoretically useful heuristics (Morawski, 1987).
- Full Text:
Women's understanding of the "Nice guy paradox": a phenomenological study
- Authors: Macfarlane, Robert
- Date: 2010-04-19T07:43:19Z
- Subjects: Young men , Men's studies , Man-women relationships , Sex role , Masculinity , Submissiveness , Phenomenological psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3214
- Description: M.A. , The Nice Guy Paradox is a provocative perception that is commonly expressed within society and the mass media. According to this perception, nice guys are less successful in their relationships with women than other men. The Nice Guy Paradox causes much frustration and confusion for self-proclaimed nice guys. In addition, the implications of this perception may negatively influence the way in which men relate to women. For instance, the Nice Guy Paradox implies that if men want to be successful with women, they should not be nice guys. In the last 15 years, a few psychological studies have opted to focus on the Nice Guy Paradox. These studies are almost all quantitative in nature. In fact, a literature search only found one small qualitative study devoted to this topic. Most of the existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox attempts to answer the question “Do nice guys really finish last?” in the absence of exploratory research aimed at better understanding this perception. For this reason, most existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox can be argued to be somewhat presumptuous and its usefulness in trying to understand this phenomenon is questionable. In an attempt to compensate for the shortcomings of existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox, this study endeavors to capture the unique experience of this social phenomenon through the utilization of a phenomenological method of inquiry. In this way, this research attempts to yield a fresh and foundational understanding of the Nice Guy Paradox. Three female university students were sourced and interviewed for the purposes of this study. These participants had all had relationship experience, as well as experience of the Nice Guy Paradox at the time of the interviews. In order to obtain optimally rudimentary experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox, open-ended interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and non-verbal cues were indicated where necessary. These transcriptions constitute the raw data of the study. They were analyzed using a specific phenomenological, stepwise method. The data analysis produced central themes that were discussed in relation to literature findings in order to consolidate their validity and to position the findings of this study in relation to existing theory and research. On the basis of these central themes, an essential structure of the participants’ experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox was synthesized. According to this structure, the nice guys referred to by the Nice Guy Paradox characteristically lack confidence, try too hard to please women and are submissive in relationships. These men are mistreated and rejected by women for the following reasons. Firstly, nice guys allow themselves to be mistreated because of their submissive tendencies. Secondly, relationships with these men are not challenging and exciting. Thirdly, women find nice guy characteristics irritating and frustrating. Fourthly, nice guys lack certain characteristics including dominance, strength, physical attractiveness, confidence, leadership and social status, which women find attractive. Also according to this structure, the Nice Guy Paradox applies more strongly to younger people than older people. In addition, niceness in isolation is a desirable trait in a man. However, the other nice guy characteristics are unattractive to women. This research holds value since it constitutes the first comprehensive phenomenological, insight-orientated study on the Nice Guy Paradox. On the basis of the new understanding that this study yields, recommendations with regard to practical application have been put forward. In addition, suggestions for future research have been provided.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Macfarlane, Robert
- Date: 2010-04-19T07:43:19Z
- Subjects: Young men , Men's studies , Man-women relationships , Sex role , Masculinity , Submissiveness , Phenomenological psychology
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6784 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3214
- Description: M.A. , The Nice Guy Paradox is a provocative perception that is commonly expressed within society and the mass media. According to this perception, nice guys are less successful in their relationships with women than other men. The Nice Guy Paradox causes much frustration and confusion for self-proclaimed nice guys. In addition, the implications of this perception may negatively influence the way in which men relate to women. For instance, the Nice Guy Paradox implies that if men want to be successful with women, they should not be nice guys. In the last 15 years, a few psychological studies have opted to focus on the Nice Guy Paradox. These studies are almost all quantitative in nature. In fact, a literature search only found one small qualitative study devoted to this topic. Most of the existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox attempts to answer the question “Do nice guys really finish last?” in the absence of exploratory research aimed at better understanding this perception. For this reason, most existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox can be argued to be somewhat presumptuous and its usefulness in trying to understand this phenomenon is questionable. In an attempt to compensate for the shortcomings of existing research on the Nice Guy Paradox, this study endeavors to capture the unique experience of this social phenomenon through the utilization of a phenomenological method of inquiry. In this way, this research attempts to yield a fresh and foundational understanding of the Nice Guy Paradox. Three female university students were sourced and interviewed for the purposes of this study. These participants had all had relationship experience, as well as experience of the Nice Guy Paradox at the time of the interviews. In order to obtain optimally rudimentary experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox, open-ended interviews were conducted. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and non-verbal cues were indicated where necessary. These transcriptions constitute the raw data of the study. They were analyzed using a specific phenomenological, stepwise method. The data analysis produced central themes that were discussed in relation to literature findings in order to consolidate their validity and to position the findings of this study in relation to existing theory and research. On the basis of these central themes, an essential structure of the participants’ experiences of the Nice Guy Paradox was synthesized. According to this structure, the nice guys referred to by the Nice Guy Paradox characteristically lack confidence, try too hard to please women and are submissive in relationships. These men are mistreated and rejected by women for the following reasons. Firstly, nice guys allow themselves to be mistreated because of their submissive tendencies. Secondly, relationships with these men are not challenging and exciting. Thirdly, women find nice guy characteristics irritating and frustrating. Fourthly, nice guys lack certain characteristics including dominance, strength, physical attractiveness, confidence, leadership and social status, which women find attractive. Also according to this structure, the Nice Guy Paradox applies more strongly to younger people than older people. In addition, niceness in isolation is a desirable trait in a man. However, the other nice guy characteristics are unattractive to women. This research holds value since it constitutes the first comprehensive phenomenological, insight-orientated study on the Nice Guy Paradox. On the basis of the new understanding that this study yields, recommendations with regard to practical application have been put forward. In addition, suggestions for future research have been provided.
- Full Text:
Emerging themes around masculinity : eclectic psychoanalytic views
- Authors: Larney, Alan Craig.
- Date: 2012-08-08
- Subjects: Masculinity , Men - Psychology , Gender identity , Sex role , Psychoanalytic interpretation , Psychoanalysis - History
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5445
- Description: M.A. , The objective of this thesis is to examine emerging themes around masculinity from within an eclectic psychoanalytic framework. In order to achieve the objective, the historical development of psychoanalytic theories on the male gender role are briefly examined. Thereafter, the thesis examines the eclectic psychoanalytic theories of masculinity proposed by Chodorow (1989, 1995) and Hudson and Jacot (1991). An investigation into the emerging themes around masculinity generated by the theories of Chodorow (1989, 1995) and Hudson and Jacot (1991) is then undertaken. The conclusion is that the theories of Chodorow (1989, 1995) and Hudson and Jacot (1991) share an eclectic psychoanalytic approach. The most important common themes in the development of masculinity, are identified as being the relevance of the pre-Oedipal years; the link between the development of the self and the formation of gender identity; and the relationship between psychoanalysis and social theory in the development of masculinity. The role of the mother is also explored in terms of her contribution to the development of masculinity and the maintenance of a gender bias.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Larney, Alan Craig.
- Date: 2012-08-08
- Subjects: Masculinity , Men - Psychology , Gender identity , Sex role , Psychoanalytic interpretation , Psychoanalysis - History
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8975 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5445
- Description: M.A. , The objective of this thesis is to examine emerging themes around masculinity from within an eclectic psychoanalytic framework. In order to achieve the objective, the historical development of psychoanalytic theories on the male gender role are briefly examined. Thereafter, the thesis examines the eclectic psychoanalytic theories of masculinity proposed by Chodorow (1989, 1995) and Hudson and Jacot (1991). An investigation into the emerging themes around masculinity generated by the theories of Chodorow (1989, 1995) and Hudson and Jacot (1991) is then undertaken. The conclusion is that the theories of Chodorow (1989, 1995) and Hudson and Jacot (1991) share an eclectic psychoanalytic approach. The most important common themes in the development of masculinity, are identified as being the relevance of the pre-Oedipal years; the link between the development of the self and the formation of gender identity; and the relationship between psychoanalysis and social theory in the development of masculinity. The role of the mother is also explored in terms of her contribution to the development of masculinity and the maintenance of a gender bias.
- Full Text:
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