Sexual orientation hypothesis
Encyclopedia
The sexual orientation hypothesis is an hypothesis
proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994 that describes male and female sexual orientation and their societal acceptance.
The sexual orientation hypothesis, proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994, says that feminine
men are more likely to be assumed gay than masculine
women are to be assumed lesbians (Whitley & Kite, 2010). According to studies done on this hypothesis, having feminine characteristics is a sign of homosexuality
in men, but masculine characteristics are less likely to be seen as a sign of homosexuality in women. Although both gay men are considered to be more like straight women than straight men, and lesbians are rated more like straight men than straight women, the difference is not as great for lesbians as it is for the gay men.
rigidity principle. This principle presents the idea that males are more severely punished by parents and excluded from peer groups when behaving in atypical gender roles (McCreary, 1994).
In his research, McCreary tried to explain the reduced tolerance of cross-gender behavior in males rather than females through the sexual orientation hypothesis as well as the social status model. Uniting the two concepts has been said to produce the best way of understanding this concept. However, McCreary found that the sexual orientation hypothesis has a higher validity rate (1994). The social status model suggests that stereotypical male characteristics are more socially desirable than stereotypical female characteristics. Therefore, men who display female characteristics would create a more negative response in society than their female counterparts who present more masculine characteristics.
Another of his studies presented stimulus personalities to a group of college age students. These personalities were of both males and females either eight or thirty years of age and present either typical or atypical gender behaviors. Subjects were more likely to view the male atypical gender behavior personality as a homosexual. This finding suggests that gender roles and behaviors play a larger role in identifying the perception of male sexual orientation more than females (McCreary, 1994).
Another, more common, example can be found in sports. Female athletes aren't seen as homosexual but as active women who happen to share a common interest with men in sports. However, a male cheerleader is often ridiculed as being homosexual, and looked down upon by others of both sexes.
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon. The term derives from the Greek, ὑποτιθέναι – hypotithenai meaning "to put under" or "to suppose". For a hypothesis to be put forward as a scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that one can test it...
proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994 that describes male and female sexual orientation and their societal acceptance.
The sexual orientation hypothesis, proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994, says that feminine
Effeminacy
Effeminacy describes traits in a human male, that are more often associated with traditional feminine nature, behaviour, mannerisms, style or gender roles rather than masculine nature, behaviour, mannerisms, style or roles....
men are more likely to be assumed gay than masculine
Butch and femme
Butch and femme are LGBT terms describing respectively, masculine and feminine traits, behavior, style, expression, self-perception and so on. They are often used in the lesbian, bisexual and gay subcultures...
women are to be assumed lesbians (Whitley & Kite, 2010). According to studies done on this hypothesis, having feminine characteristics is a sign of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
in men, but masculine characteristics are less likely to be seen as a sign of homosexuality in women. Although both gay men are considered to be more like straight women than straight men, and lesbians are rated more like straight men than straight women, the difference is not as great for lesbians as it is for the gay men.
Research
McCreary states that these negative feelings can be attributed to the male gender roleGender role
Gender roles refer to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered to be socially appropriate for individuals of a specific sex in the context of a specific culture, which differ widely between cultures and over time...
rigidity principle. This principle presents the idea that males are more severely punished by parents and excluded from peer groups when behaving in atypical gender roles (McCreary, 1994).
In his research, McCreary tried to explain the reduced tolerance of cross-gender behavior in males rather than females through the sexual orientation hypothesis as well as the social status model. Uniting the two concepts has been said to produce the best way of understanding this concept. However, McCreary found that the sexual orientation hypothesis has a higher validity rate (1994). The social status model suggests that stereotypical male characteristics are more socially desirable than stereotypical female characteristics. Therefore, men who display female characteristics would create a more negative response in society than their female counterparts who present more masculine characteristics.
Another of his studies presented stimulus personalities to a group of college age students. These personalities were of both males and females either eight or thirty years of age and present either typical or atypical gender behaviors. Subjects were more likely to view the male atypical gender behavior personality as a homosexual. This finding suggests that gender roles and behaviors play a larger role in identifying the perception of male sexual orientation more than females (McCreary, 1994).
Hypothetical examples
The sexual orientation hypothesis is evident in many ways. For instance, a man who carries a shoulder bag is mocked and considered feminine for carrying a “purse,” while most people hardly think twice about a woman who carries a wallet. The woman may even be applauded for breaking the stereotype of a woman with a large purse on her shoulder.Another, more common, example can be found in sports. Female athletes aren't seen as homosexual but as active women who happen to share a common interest with men in sports. However, a male cheerleader is often ridiculed as being homosexual, and looked down upon by others of both sexes.