Gender differences in the functional linkage between androgyny, social cognition, and competence.

Abstract

Three studies concerning the adaptive value of psychological androgyny in college males and females are reported. Study 1 followed up evidence in the sex role literature indicating greater adaptive value of androgyny for females. Self-esteem and competence level analyses suggested that androgyny in women is more advantageous relative to other sex types than is true for men. Study 2 hypothesized that superior social cognition (i.e., high intraception and social insight) mediates the adaptive value of androgyny, allowing effective deployment of expanded sex role potential across situations. The opposite was found: Androgynous males demonstrated the highest social cognition among the four sex-types and androgynous females were not exceptional in this regard. Study 3 compared personal defensiveness among the four sex-types. Androgynous males were the least well-defended and androgynous females the most highly defended relative to the other sex-types. This was proposed as one basis for enhanced competence of androgynous females and the unexceptional competence of their male counterparts despite social cognition differences.

Differences Between and Within Genders in Gender Role Orientation According to Age and Level of Education

“…Therefore, the results do not support the predictions established for men in hypotheses 3 and 4, so there is no confirmation that men adhere more strongly to masculinity traits in the early adulthood stage (Gutmann 1975(Gutmann , 1977Levinson et al 1978;Livson 1983) and there is also no confirmation that men adhere more strongly to feminine traits around the middle of the life cycle, contrary to the results obtained in other studies (Fischer and Narus 1981;Heilbrun 1981;Mandel 1987;Sinnott 1984).…”

When ego threats lead to self-regulation failure: Negative consequences of high self-esteem.

“…People who have high self-esteem are presumed to be more successful at this goal and to enjoy the benefits that presumably result from it. Consequently, high self-esteem is considered one mark of successful adjustment (e.g., Heilbrun, 1981;Kahle, Kulka, & Klingel, 1980;Whitley, 1983), consistent with the general view that high self-esteem characterizes someone who is likely to succeed in life. Research on task performance has likewise suggested that people with high levels of self-esteem are best able to make use of information about the task and setting to determine the optimal level of persistence and effort (McFarlin, 1985;Sandelands, Brockner, & Glynn, 1988).…”

Father-Son Family Communication Patterns and Gender Ideologies: A Modeling and Compensation Analysis

“…In fact, men's masculinity, femininity, and androgyny have been linked to a plethora of positive (e.g., empathy, resourcefulness, communicative and cognitive adaptability, satisfaction in social interactions; Berzins, Welling, & Wetter, 1978;Heilbrun, 1981;Kim & Aune, 1997;Thompson & Whearty, 2004) and negative outcomes (e.g., aggressive and violent behavior, high levels of stress and anger, poor physical health, destructive romantic relationships; Courtenay, 2000;Eisler, Skidmore, & Ward, 1988;Reidy et al, 2009;Sayers & Baucom, 1991). Thus, it is important to consider the role fathers' communication plays in sons' socialization of gender ideologies.…”