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Beliefs about Males
Author(s) -
Cicone Michael V.,
Ruble Diane N.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/j.1540-4560.1978.tb02537.x
Subject(s) - categorization , psyche , psychology , adjective check list , adjective , social psychology , developmental psychology , cognitive psychology , epistemology , psychoanalysis , personality , computer science , artificial intelligence , philosophy , noun
This paper reviews the empirical literature on people's beliefs about males, particularly how the “typical male” is described on paper‐and‐pencil adjective‐list studies. A threefold categorization is suggested of the traits that seem to be mentioned most often as characteristic of the typical male: (a) how a man handles his life (active and achievement‐oriented), (b) how a man handles others (dominant), and (c) how a man handles his psyche (level‐headed). In addition, several methodological and interpretational problems are described. On the basis of these problems and of findings from studies that examine beliefs about males in different ways, it is suggested that highly stereotypic beliefs about males may be less pervasive than usually thought.