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The sexual orientation hypothesis is a hypothesis proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994 that attempts to explain the impact of gender stereotypes on judgments about sexual orientation. This hypothesis states that feminine men are more likely to be assumed gay than masculine women are to be assumed lesbians.^[1] This model asserts a broad tendency to associate gender-atypical behavior in men with homosexuality. This is combined with a stigmatization of behaviors held as signs of same-sex attraction in men, and reinforces a stronger culture of exclusive homophobia than among young women.

Research

McCreary ties much of this behavior to particular rigidity around male gender roles. McCreary notes that boys are more severely punished by parents and ostracized from peer groups for displaying typically effeminate traits, which serves to amplify in-group homophobia.^[2]

McCreary connects this lack of tolerance among young men to the impact of male gender roles on social status. Overall, the combination of negative reinforcement from parents and a social hierarchy based upon obeying fixed notions of masculinity makes homophobia among young men uniquely toxic. McCreary also notes that the elevation of typically "male" behavior as a social ideal, especially one that is tied to power and authority, amplifies the harshness of in-group homophobia among young men and adolescent boys. However, this latent sexism means that women who manifest more typically male behaviors are not treated as harshly as men who display effeminate traits.

One of McCreary's studies presented a spread of invented personas to a set of college-aged students and asked subjects to identify the sexual orientation of each. These personas included both male and female profiles, presenting either typical or atypical gender traits. Interview subjects were significantly more likely to assume that male personas who displayed gender-atypical behavior were gay or bisexual. These findings suggested that preconceptions about gender roles are more instrumental in judgments about male sexuality, and play a large role in the stigmatization of gay men.^[2]

References

^ Whitley, Bernard; Kite, Mary (12 February 2009). The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-81128-2.
^ ^a ^b McCreary, D. R. (1994). "The male role in avoiding femininity". Sex Roles. 31 (9–10): 517–531. doi:10.1007/BF01544277. S2CID 144074883.

[WhitleyKite2009-1] Whitley, Bernard; Kite, Mary (12 February 2009). The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0-495-81128-2.

[mcc94-2] McCreary, D. R. (1994). "The male role in avoiding femininity". Sex Roles. 31 (9–10): 517–531. doi:10.1007/BF01544277. S2CID 144074883.

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+{{multiple issues|
-{{Multiple issues|wikify = February 2011|orphan = February 2011|notability = February 2011}}
+{{more citations needed|date=June 2011}}
+{{primary sources|date=May 2015}}
+}}
+The '''sexual orientation hypothesis''' is a [[hypothesis]] proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994 that attempts to explain the impact of [[gender stereotypes]] on judgments about [[sexual orientation]]. This [[hypothesis]] states that [[effeminacy|feminine]] men are more likely to be assumed [[gay]] than [[butch and femme|masculine]] women are to be assumed [[lesbian]]s.<ref name="WhitleyKite2009">{{cite book|first1=Bernard |last1=Whitley|first2=Mary |last2=Kite|title=The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination|url={{google books |plainurl=y |id=mXSJEjl4uZYC}}|date=12 February 2009|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=978-0-495-81128-2}}</ref> This model asserts a broad tendency to associate gender-atypical behavior in men with [[homosexuality]]. This is combined with a stigmatization of behaviors held as signs of same-sex attraction in men, and reinforces a stronger culture of exclusive [[homophobia]] than among young women.
-==Definition==
-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)<ref>Kite, Mary and Whitley, Bernard; The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2010.</ref>.  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.  Gay men are considered to be more like straight women than straight men, and while lesbians are rated more like straight men than straight women, the difference is not as great as it is for the gay men.
 ==Research==
+McCreary ties much of this behavior to particular rigidity around male [[gender role]]s. McCreary notes that boys are more severely punished by parents and ostracized from peer groups for displaying typically effeminate traits, which serves to amplify in-group homophobia.<ref name=mcc94>{{cite journal |last=McCreary |first=D. R. |year=1994 |title=The male role in avoiding femininity|journal= Sex Roles |volume=31 |issue=9–10 |pages=517–531 |doi=10.1007/BF01544277 |s2cid=144074883 }}</ref>
-McCreary states that these negative feelings can be attributed to the male [[gender role]] rigidity principle<ref>McCreary, D. R. (1994).  The male role in avoiding femininity. Sex roles, 31, 517-531.</ref>. 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).
+McCreary connects this lack of tolerance among young men to the impact of male gender roles on social status. Overall, the combination of negative reinforcement from parents and a social hierarchy based upon obeying fixed notions of masculinity makes homophobia among young men uniquely toxic. McCreary also notes that the elevation of typically "male" behavior as a social ideal, especially one that is tied to power and authority, amplifies the harshness of in-group homophobia among young men and adolescent boys. However, this latent [[sexism]] means that women who manifest more typically male behaviors are not treated as harshly as men who display effeminate traits.
-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).
+One of McCreary's studies presented a spread of invented personas to a set of college-aged students and asked subjects to identify the sexual orientation of each. These personas included both male and female profiles, presenting either typical or atypical gender traits. Interview subjects were significantly more likely to assume that male personas who displayed gender-atypical behavior were gay or [[bisexual]]. These findings suggested that preconceptions about gender roles are more instrumental in judgments about male sexuality, and play a large role in the stigmatization of gay men.<ref name=mcc94/>
+==See also==
-== 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.
-==See Also==
 *[[Androgyny]]
-*[[Gender Roles]]
 *[[Gender bias]]
+*[[Gender roles in non-heterosexual communities]]
+*[[Gender roles]]
+*[[Gender studies]]
 *[[Homophobia]]
-*[[Gender Studies]]
+*[[Queer heterosexuality]]
-== References ==
+==References==
+{{Reflist|30em}}
+{{Sexual identities}}
-{{Reflist}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Sexual Orientation Hypothesis}}
-{{Uncategorized|date=February 2011}}
+[[Category:Sexuality]]