Vicarious Emotional Responses of Macho College Males

Abstract

The vicarious emotional responses of macho and less macho males, as measured by the Hypermasculinity Inventory, were examined among 107 college males, who reported their emotions on arrival for the study and in response to viewing three videotapes of a crying, quiescent, and smiling baby, respectively. Subjects then completed the Hypermasculinity Inventory and the Sexual Experiences Survey. As predicted, macho males responded to the crying baby with more anger and less empathy than did less macho males. The results are discussed in terms of how macho males respond to distressing stimuli by inhibiting “feminine” emotions (e.g., empathy) and by amplifying “masculine” emotions (e.g., anger), thereby increasing the risk of aggressive behavior.