Precarious manhood and displays of physical aggression

Bosson, Jennifer K. and Vandello, Joseph A. and Burnaford, Rochelle M. and Weaver, Jonathan R. and Wasti, S. Arzu (2009) Precarious manhood and displays of physical aggression. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 35 (5). pp. 623-634. ISSN 0146-1672

This is the latest version of this item.

[thumbnail of Manhood_paper_January_2007_-Final_Sumission_to_JPSP.doc] MS Word
Manhood_paper_January_2007_-Final_Sumission_to_JPSP.doc
Restricted to Repository staff only

Download (279kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

The results of three experiments demonstrate that physically aggressive displays are part of men's cultural script for restoring threatened gender status. In Studies 1 and 2, challenges to men's gender status elicited heightened physically aggressive displays, including punching a pad with greater force and selecting an aggressive boxing activity over a nonaggressive puzzle activity. Study 3 established that a public display of aggressive readiness reduced men's anxiety-related cognitions in the wake of a gender threat. This suggests that aggressive displays may function to downregulate negative affect when manhood has been threatened. The discussion considers past research on gender and physical aggression in light of the authors' thesis that manhood, relative to womanhood, is culturally defined as a precarious status that must be actively, even aggressively, defended.
Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: gender roles; physical aggression; role violations; self-threats; negative affect
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Sabancı Business School
Depositing User: Arzu S. Wasti
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2009 09:58
Last Modified: 25 May 2011 14:09
URI: https://research.sabanciuniv.edu/id/eprint/11621

Available Versions of this Item

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item