Masculinity Priming

Abstract

Most research on the link between masculinity-related constructs and psychology well-being has been conducted using correlational rather than experimental research designs. To address this limitation, this study tested the effects of activating men's subjective masculinity experiences on state self-esteem by randomly assigning 183 men into either a masculinity priming condition or a control priming condition. Consistent with the social identity paradigm, participants who received masculinity priming reported higher state self-esteem than those in the control priming condition. A moderation effect showed that masculinity priming exerted the strongest effect on self-esteem among men with relatively negative self-perceptions. These findings are discussed within the context of the need for more experimental research on masculinity-related constructs. Keywords masculinity, priming, self-esteem Research on the relationship between masculinity-related constructs and psychological well-being represents one of the most fertile areas of inquiry in the study of men and masculinities (Wong, Steinfeldt, Speight, & Hickman, 2010). In a review of

Masculinities among African American men: An intersectional perspective.

“…However, the present study was designed to first elicit general conceptions of gender (i.e., masculinity), asking first what it means to be a man. This question, similar to those asked by Hammond and Mattis (2005) and Hunter and Davis (1992, 1994), was designed to use priming to influence participants to think about masculinity-in-general (Wong et al, 2015), and thus guide the conversation toward considering masculinity as a gendered entity independent of race. It was followed by a series of specific questions, none of which mentioned race.…”

Size Matters After All: Experimental Evidence that SEM Consumption Influences Genital and Body Esteem in Men

“…In the context of heterosexual SEM-where a man is typically "performing" relative to a submissive and passive woman-one might expect genital-specific self-esteem to have an influence on men. Furthermore, previous research has reported a relationship between state self-esteem and masculinity in that the more "masculine" the traits men were primed to reflect upon in themselves, the greater their reported levels of state self-esteem (Wong et al, 2015). The popular media-including sexually explicit movies, magazines, and websites-frequently emphasize the connection between penis size and masculinity and reinforce the message that "bigger is better" (Lever et al, 2006).…”

“…In contrast, life events can affect state self-esteem in either a positive or negative manner. For example, a study conducted by Wong et al (2015) had male participants primed to reflect upon stereotypically masculine moments that had occurred previously in their lifetime. The primed group ultimately reported higher levels of state self-esteem specifically regarding their masculinity relative to an unprimed control group.…”

To reconstruct or deconstruct? A fundamental question for the psychology of men and masculinities.

“…Social psychological research offers many examples of experimental manipulations and interventions that heighten the salience of masculinities, including stereotype threats (H. J. Johnson et al, 2012) and primes (Wong et al, 2015). However, relatively little is known about methods of reducing the salience of masculinities.…”