Sex Role Orientation and Fear

Abstract

Data from previous studies suggest that women report higher levels of fear than men do and that individuals who identify with the feminine sex role report higher levels of fear than do individuals who identify with the masculine sex role (Carey, Dusek, & Spector, 1988; Dillon, Wolf, & Katz, 1985). The relationship between sex role orientation and fear was investigated further in the present study, using self-report and behavioral measures. The female participants reported significantly higher levels of fear than did the male participants. Individuals who identified with a feminine sex role reported significantly higher levels of fear than did individuals who identified with a masculine sex role. However, we found no significant difference in behavioral fear among the various sex-typed groups.