The Relationship between Masculine Honor Belief Systems and Reported Acceptability of Stereotypical, Astereotypical, and Neutral Behaviors

Abstract

Previous literature supports that there is a positive association between masculine honor beliefs and views such as the acceptability of the use of violence in war and negative perceptions of both rape and women who have been raped (Saucier, Strain, Hockett, and McManus, 2005; Saucier, Webster, McManus, Sonnentag, O’Dea, Strain, 2018). However, no research has been conducted on the relationship between masculine honor beliefs and views of traditional male gender roles. We hypothesized that there will be a positive association between masculine honor beliefs and stereotypical gender roles and a negative association between masculine honor beliefs and astereotypical gender roles. To test this hypothesis, over 395 General Psychology students from Kansas State University were surveyed using the Masculine Honor Beliefs Scale, the BEM Sex Role Inventory, and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale. Analysis of these surveys indicate that masculine honor beliefs are significantly, positively correlated with astereotypical gender roles and significantly, negatively correlated with stereotypical gender roles, which contradicts our initial hypothesis. Further research should be conducted to determine the relationship between masculine honor beliefs and traditional male gender roles.