Sexual orientation hypothesis

Definition

The sexual orientation hypothesis, proposed by Donald McCreary in 1994, says that feminine men are more likely to be assumed as gay than masculine women are to be assumed as lesbians (Whitley & Kite, 2010). 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 states that these negative feelings can be attributed to the male gender role rigidity principle. 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).   Researchers have tried to explain the less toleration 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 finds 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.

One study 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 correlate 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).

Hypothetical Examples

Sexual orientation hypothesis is evident in many ways. For instance, a man that 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.