Sex typing and the social perception of gender stereotypic and nonstereotypic behavior: The uniqueness of feminine males.

Examined the social perception of masculine, feminine, androgynous, and undifferentiated males. 251 preadolescent boys were shown a video film portraying a male target playing either a masculine game with boys, a feminine game with girls, a neutral game with boys, or a neutral game with girls and were required to make a variety of inferences about him. All 4 groups made similar cognitive stereotypic inferences that varied in accordance with the gender stereotypic nature of the target's behavior. However, for the affective judgments (e.g., liking the target and wanting to engage in activities with him), the feminine males showed a pattern of inferences that was not only different from other sex role orientations, but often the reverse. The implications of these results for S. L. Bem's gender schema theory (see record 1981-25685-001) and H. Markus's self schema theory (H. Markus et al; 1982) are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bridging the theoretical and applied facets of environmental psychology.

Responds to K. H. Craik's (see record 84-10224) and R. B. Bechtel's (see record 84-10187) comments on D. Stokols's (see record 1996-13229-001) suggestion that the identity of environmental psychology has become more diffuse and transparent over the past 30 yrs. The contrast between Bechtel's emphasis on the applied contributions of environmental psychology and Craik's focus on its core theoretical concerns is noted. Their divergent characterizations of the field reflect its multidisciplinary roots and the diffuseness of its intellectual borders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The ideology of logic in contemporary psychology.

Comments on the article "Psychology and Phenomenology: A Clarification" by H. H. Kendler (see record 2005-05480-003). In this article, Kendler sought to resolve the methodological issue that divides much of contemporary psychology--namely, the difference between natural science and human science in their respective views of psychological life. Whereas Kendler provided an evocative historical account of conflicts over how psychology has interpreted consciousness, the force of his analysis depends on the extent to which the proverbial "is/ought" distinction, invoked any time the question of "science" is at stake, can have any meaningful purchase in the face of a radical phenomenology like that of Martin Heidegger. Regrettably, Kendler's position in the end eclipses any intention to clarify our understanding of the relationship between "natural" and "human" science. The consequence of his article will not likely resolve the controversy he put before us, but if it does nothing more than provoke further discussion, Kendler will have provided our profession with an opportunity to understand more fully this business we call psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Notes on postmodernism and the psychology of gender.

Argues that R. T. Hare-Mustin and J. Marecek (see PA Vol 75:31397) confuse deconstruction with familiar hermeneutic techniques, omit or dismiss works by postmodernist thinkers who are psychoanalysts, and show an interest in techniques that endorse the very system of phallocentric discourse that they seem to wish to deconstruct. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Metatheoretical dilemmas in the psychology of gender.

Presents a constructionist perspective on the validity of explanations in psychology that views human understanding as being objectively based but subjectively constructed in a social context. This metatheory recognizes both sociological influences and epistemological limitations while retaining the distinction between them. Resolutions to 4 dilemmas that arise when this framework is used to demarcate a psychology of gender—the tension between scholarship and advocacy, scientific vs humanistic values in the choice of methods and procedures, conflicting perspectives on the legitimacy of the psychology of gender as a psychological discipline, and bias in the conduct of inquiry—are developed using a dialectical technique. Two research strategies in the psychology of gender that are consistent with the metatheory proposed are compared with respect to the value judgments made at each of 3 levels of analysis: presuppositions, decisions about the domains for which explanations are sought, and interpretations of the research. (117 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex role identification and the clinical psychology student.

22 female (mean age 31.8 yrs) and 16 male (mean age 27.5 yrs) practicum students in clinical psychology completed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory and a questionnaire assessing their attitudes toward clinical work. Females were more likely than males to work predominantly with children. Masculine and undifferentiated Ss attributed the source of their theoretical orientation to their clinical work, whereas feminine and androgynous Ss considered their own personal treatment as important a source of influence as clinical work. Masculine Ss viewed hearing about important changes in patients' lives as more gratifying than direct observation of change, while other Ss viewed the direct observation of change as most gratifying. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Integrating sex and gender into school psychology.

Discusses the psychology of sex and gender in terms of issues and problems raised by J. L. Alpert et al, J. C. Conoley and K. Welch, and E. Jacobs and R. H. Meltzer (see PA, Vol 75:18336; 18338; and 16764, respectively). Discussion focuses on sex-related differences in the light of findings about the multiple roles of women in school psychology; the finding of behaviors that are often considered status- and gender-inconsistent for women in school psychology; and concerns raised by women's developmental needs and multiple roles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The shifting gender composition of psychology: Trends and implications for the discipline.

Psychology, along with the majority of professions and scientific disciplines, has undergone dramatic shifts in gender composition over the past two decades. These changes have prompted concern that this increased participation by women may lead to erosion in the status of these occupations. This article describes the results of a case study of psychology conducted by a subcommittee of the American Psychological Association's (APA's) Task Force on the Changing Gender Composition of Psychology to examine the discipline's changing gender composition and the factors related to these shifts. Societal and disciplinary trends are examined, along with data on the patterns of men's and women's involvement in the educational pipeline and workplace. The results provide little support for the concern over the increasing representation of women and its impact on the prestige of the discipline. Rather, they suggest that changes in the nature and status of psychology per se may be at least partly responsible for the changes in male and female participation and that the nature, magnitude, and causes of these disciplinary changes require further examination. Specific recommendations for the APA prepared by another subcommittee of the Task Force are also presented in the Appendix. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The social psychology of gender: How power and intimacy shape gender relations.

Reviews the book, The social psychology of gender: How power and intimacy shape gender relations by Laurie A. Rudman and Peter Glick (see record 2008-09331-000). In this volume, respected gender experts Rudman and Glick (both former recipients of the Gordon Allport Intergroup Relations Award for their respective research in this area) highlight the ways in which male dominance and intimate interdependence work together to shape peoples’ attitudes toward men and women and thusly their interactions with members of both sexes. Although its publication in the Texts series suggests that it is aimed primarily at a student audience, this volume nevertheless has much to offer the interested layperson and the serious academic as well. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex typing and androgyny: further explorations of the expressive domain

Previous research by Bem has indicated that androgynous individuals of both sexes display "masculine" independence when under pressure to conform as well as "feminine" nurturance when interacting with a kitten. In contrast, sex-typed individuals were low in one or both of these behaviors. The two studies reported here were designed to replicate the low nurturance of the masculine male and to clarify the unexpected finding that feminine females were low in both independence and nurturance. In the first study subjects interacted with a human infant, and in the second study they listened to a lonely student. Taken together, the results of these two studies conceptually replicated the low nurturance of the masculine male and demonstrated that the low nurturance of the feminine female does not extend to her interaction with humans. Finally, evidence was presented in support of Spence, Helmreich, and Stapp's distinction between "androgynous" individuals, who are high in both masculinity and feminity, and "undifferentiated" individuals, who are low in both of these characteristics.     

Analytic psychology and gender role conflict: The development of the fragile masculine self.

There is a need to undertake a comprehensive approach to understanding gender specific challenges and solutions. This includes understanding the gender role related conflicts men experience. It also includes a reexamination of some of the long-held beliefs regarding men and masculinity including a gender identity socialized to conceptualize a sense of self that emphasizes independence to the exclusion of relational strivings. There is also the emphasis in male socialization to avoid the "feminine" in hopes that this will enhance the masculine identity. It is argued here that for many men, following this course of gender socialization has led to the development of a fragile masculine self. The fragile masculine self is conceptualized from an analytic psychology perspective, integrating aspects of intrapsychic development with psychosocial aspects of O'Neil's gender role conflict paradigm. Combining aspects of the intrapsychic with that of psychosocial forces leads to the development of a new model for conceptualizing and working with men in individual and group therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex roles and gender differences in the experience of depression.

Studied sex differences and sex role correlates of depressive experiences in 82 female and 39 male college students. Gender differences in depressive experiences were found. These differences were consistent with societal sex role expectations. The level of depression on the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale was negatively associated with sex role congruence, as assessed by the Sex-Role Stereotype Questionnaire, scored for Competency and Warmth–Expressiveness. Degree of sex role congruence within the male and female samples was also associated with different depressive experiences on the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire. The sex differences and the different intrasex correlations indicated that experiences of depression are associated with different facets of sex role stereotypes. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender-related traits and gender ideology: evidence for a multifactorial theory

Male (n = 95) and female (n = 221) college students were given 2 measures of gender-related personality traits, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, and 3 measures of sex role attitudes. Correlations between the personality and the attitude measures were traced to responses to the pair of negatively correlated BSRI items, masculine and feminine, thus confirming a multifactorial approach to gender, as opposed to a unifactorial gender schema theory.     

Sport psychology consultation: The influence of gender on learning style.

Consultants in sports psychology need to be aware of the potential gender differences among athletes. Examined are important gender-related factors related to learning styles in athletes. Identified are the observed differences in male and female response style on learning patterns for the population studied. When compared on 20 different learning style factors as measured by a standardized scale, the learning styles of males and females differed at a statistically significant level on 9 factors. Statistically significant differences were noted on factors measuring ability to trust, frustration tolerance, facilitation to change, and feedback preference. Gender differences are discussed, as are issues for the sports psychologist consultant as to the influence of gender on learning styles in male and female athletes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sex bias in introductory psychology textbooks: Five years later.

The 8 introductory psychology textbooks most widely used in English-speaking Canadian universities were each assessed by 1–3 raters (N?=?19) for sex bias in language, illustrations, and written content. Overall sex bias ratings were fairly low and consistent across raters; differences were too small to justify any ranking of texts. Sexist language was rarely found in the textbooks, and all included some discussion of sex roles and stereotypes. Results are contrasted with findings edited by B. Wand (see record 1978-04134-001). (French abstract) (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Gender-related traits and gender ideology: Evidence for a multifactorial theory": Correction.

Reports errors in the original article by J. T. Spence (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1993[Apr], Vol 64[4], 624–635). Several columns in Table 1 (page 630) were incorrectly labeled. The corrected table is provided. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1993-25426-001). 95 male and 221 female college students were given 2 measures of gender-related personality traits, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, and 3 measures of sex role attitudes. Correlations between the personality and the attitude measures were traced to responses to the pair of negatively correlated BSRI items, masculine and feminine, thus confirming a multifactorial approach to gender, as opposed to a unifactorial gender schema theory. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Strategies for coping with work-family conflict: The distinctive relationships of gender role ideology.

Study 1, with 266 employed parents, identified 8 coping strategies: super at home, good enough at home, delegation at home, priorities at home, super at work, good enough at work, delegation at work, and priorities at work. Study 2, with 679 employed parents, demonstrated a moderating effect of sex and gender role ideology in the relationship between coping strategy and work-family conflict. Specifically, the relationships between coping strategies (i.e., good enough at home, good enough at work, and delegation at work) and work interference with family were moderated by sex and gender role ideology. Regarding family interference with work, the relationships between coping strategies (i.e., good enough at home and good enough at work, delegation at home and delegation at work, and priorities at home) and family interference with work were moderated by sex and gender role ideology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The his and hers of prosocial behavior: An examination of the social psychology of gender.

Prosocial behavior consists of behaviors regarded as beneficial to others, including helping, sharing, comforting, guiding, rescuing, and defending others. Although women and men are similar in engaging in extensive prosocial behavior, they are different in their emphasis on particular classes of these behaviors. The specialty of women is prosocial behaviors that are more communal and relational, and that of men is behaviors that are more agentic and collectively oriented as well as strength intensive. These sex differences, which appear in research in various settings, match widely shared gender role beliefs. The origins of these beliefs lie in the division of labor, which reflects a biosocial interaction between male and female physical attributes and the social structure. The effects of gender roles on behavior are mediated by hormonal processes, social expectations, and individual dispositions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parallel syndromes: Two dimensions of narcissism and the facets of psychopathic personality in criminally involved individuals.

Little research has examined different dimensions of narcissism that may parallel psychopathy facets in criminally involved individuals. In this study, we examined the pattern of relationships between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism, assessed using the Narcissistic Personality Inventory–16 and the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, respectively, and the four facets of psychopathy (interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial) assessed via the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version. As predicted, grandiose and vulnerable narcissism showed differential relationships to psychopathy facets, with grandiose narcissism relating positively to the interpersonal facet of psychopathy and vulnerable narcissism relating positively to the lifestyle facet of psychopathy. Paralleling existing psychopathy research, vulnerable narcissism showed stronger associations than grandiose narcissism to (a) other forms of psychopathology, including internalizing and substance use disorders, and (b) self- and other-directed aggression, measured with the Life History of Aggression and the Forms of Aggression Questionnaire. Grandiose narcissism was nonetheless associated with social dysfunction marked by a manipulative and deceitful interpersonal style and unprovoked aggression. Potentially important implications for uncovering etiological pathways and developing treatment interventions for these disorders in externalizing adults are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)