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Desirable and undesirable gender traits in three behavioral domains

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Abstract

The present study investigated the factorial validity of a four-factor model of gender stereotypes in 888 subjects (97% Anglo-Australian Caucasian). The scale reflected the constructs desirable masculinity, desirable femininity, undesirable masculinity and undesirable femininity. LISREL analyses showed that this four-factor model fitted the data better than either a two-factor model consisting of overall masculinity and femininity or an one-factor bipolar model. Furthermore, the study highlights the utility of studying both desirable and undesirable gender traits as they generally predicted different behaviors for males and females.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin University, USA

    Lina A. Ricciardelli

  2. Charles Sturt University, USA

    Robert J. Williams

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  1. Lina A. Ricciardelli
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  2. Robert J. Williams
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Ricciardelli, L.A., Williams, R.J. Desirable and undesirable gender traits in three behavioral domains. Sex Roles 33, 637–655 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01547722

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