Beliefs about Males

Abstract

This paper reviews the empirical literature on people's beliefs about males, particularly how the “typical male” is described on paper‐and‐pencil adjective‐list studies. A threefold categorization is suggested of the traits that seem to be mentioned most often as characteristic of the typical male: (a) how a man handles his life (active and achievement‐oriented), (b) how a man handles others (dominant), and (c) how a man handles his psyche (level‐headed). In addition, several methodological and interpretational problems are described. On the basis of these problems and of findings from studies that examine beliefs about males in different ways, it is suggested that highly stereotypic beliefs about males may be less pervasive than usually thought.