Women are often told it's okay to be more emotional, while men are often taught that any sign of emotion is a sign of weakness.
A male's masculinity is thought to be very important. But, is it truly necessary? Researchers suggest that societal norms which dictate the level of masculinity in men are causing a negative effect on men's health and how they live their lives.
In a study recently published in Social Psychology, researchers from University of Washington looked at how men respond when they think their masculinity is threatened. Researchers handed out a questionnaire that asked participants their height, number of previous relationships, personality traits, interests in products that skewed male or female, and some "distracting" questions.
What were the findings?
Sapna Cheryan, UW associate professor of psychology, discusses the findings of the study and shares what happens when men's masculinity is compromised.
Sapna Cheryan is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Washington. Her research interests include identity, stereotypes, and prejudice, and she has published numerous articles on these topics in journals such as Psychological Science, the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology, and the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.