Hegemonic masculinity, gender, and social distance

The Mediating Role of Perceived Dangerousness

Bibliographic Data

ID3613419
AuthorsGeorge Van Doorn (0000-0001-7311-7099, School of Science, Psychology, and Sport, Churchill Campus, Federation University Australia, Australia, corresponding author), Evita March (0009-0004-7077-0980, School of Science, Psychology, and Sport, Berwick Campus, Federation University Australia, Australia)
Year2021
Volume30
Issue3
Pages306-316
Publication date2021-04-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Gender Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0958-9236 • E-ISSN: 1465-3869
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09589236.2020.1844000
OpenAlexW3096980198
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited44

Given the aggressive behaviours and negative attitudes associated with hegemonic masculinity, and the fact that men are more likely to commit violent crimes than are women, people might choose to avoid men displaying characteristics consistent with hegemonic masculinity. In a vignette-based study, we assessed whether the gender of a person displaying behaviours and attitudes consistent with hegemonic masculinity influenced people’s desire for social distance. Further, we explored whether the relationship between hegemonic masculinity and social distance was mediated by perceived dangerousness. A fictitious man displaying attitudes and behaviours consistent with hegemonic masculinity was perceived to be more dangerous than a woman displaying the same characteristics, and an increase in perceived dangerousness was associated with a desire for greater social distance. Once this was removed from the direct path, there was no link between the gender of the fictitious individual and social distance, indicating that people do not desire greater social distance from men but from anyone exhibiting ‘toxic’ attitudes and behaviours. The findings have important clinical implications, highlighting the role social connections play in changing prejudiced attitudes and recovery from depression

Commit · Hegemonic masculinity · Hegemony · Masculinity · Political science · Social distance · Vignette · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOI