Understanding Men in Contemporary Culture By: Cybele Zavala Natalie Pourroy Brooke Brandeberry

Effects of Masculine Identity and Gender Role Stress on Aggression in Men By: Amy Cohn and Amos Zeichner “Predominant theories posit that an association between masculine identity and aggression is moderated by gender role stress, the degree to which a man experiences cognitive stress when adhering to masculine norms. This study examines whether masculine identity predicts aggressive behavior under laboratory conditions and whether this relationship is moderated by gender role stress. Seventy-five men participated in a competitive reaction time task wherein they were given the choice to shock or refrain from shocking a bogus opponent. Analyses revealed a significant moderating effect of gender role stress on the relationship between identity and aggression. Significant main effects for identity and gender role stress were found, indicating that gender role stress and masculine identity, alone and together, account for a significant amount of variance in aggressive behavior in men. Effects of masculine identity and gender role stress on initiation and maintenance of aggressive behavior are discussed in the context of gender role socialization in men.” Cohn, Amy and Zeichner, Amos. (2006). Effects of Masculine Identity and Gender Role Stress on Aggression in Men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. 7. 179-190.

Objectives “Investigate unique (main) as well as multiplicative (moderating) effects of masculine identity and gender role stress on predicting aggression in men”

Hypotheses Strong positive relationship would exist between masculine identity and aggression, such that higher levels of masculine identity would predict higher levels of aggression A positive relationship between gender role stress and aggression, such that higher levels of gender role stress would predict greater aggressive responding Gender roles stress would exert a moderating effect on the relationship between masculine identity and aggression, such that masculine identity would be significantly and positively associated with direct aggression at higher levels of gender role stress and demonstrate a non-significant relationship to aggression at lower levels of gender role stress

Method 97 undergraduate men Age 18-35 Materials CMNI (Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory) GRCS (Gender Role Conflict Scale) RCAP (Response Choice Aggression Paradigm)

Procedure Pain thresholds determined for each participant Fake participant Real participant thought he was competing in a reaction time and a personality trait task Shocked when lost

Results Data concluded that masculine identity was positively significant with aggression of the RCAP Gender role stress was also positively significant with direct physical aggression Men who follow masculine norms, when provoked can react in such a way that is impulsive and can harm others

Positive Critique Masculinity is linked to aggression and attitudes endorsing violence This study ruled out demand characteristics and participant bias, in order to just measure aggression RCAP allows us to see what provokes them to inflict harm on others

Negative Critique Does not determine causality only moderating effects Only two of seven interactions were found to be significant Lack of diversity in: Ethnicity Age Relationship Status Does not cause aggression but has an effect on it Gender role stress and masculine identity They did not have a lot of diversity

Test Questions This study predicted the effects of gender role stress and masculine identity on aggression in men. T/F Men who follow masculine norms do not react in an aggressive manner. T/F This study lacked diversity in ethnicity, age, and educational status. T/F T F f

Test Questions What did the shock intensity measure? a. testosterone b. blood pressure c. reaction time d. level of aggression What was the participant thinking he was competing in? a. risk taking b. reaction time c. test on personality traits d. both b and c This study showed that masculinity is linked to: a. self worth b. emotional regulation c. aggression

Video Tough Guise: Violence, Media & the Crisis in Masculinity http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3exzMPT4nGI