Abstract

This study investigated gender and age differences in attitudes expressed in response to a drawing task. Subjects included 531 respondents in five age groups: children ages 7–10, younger adolescents ages 13–16, older adolescents ages 17–19, younger adults ages 20–50, older adults ages 65 and older.Although proportionally more females than males drew pictures about relationships, and more males than females drew pictures about solitary subjects, these differences did not reach statistical significance. However, when the attitudes expressed toward self and others were taken into account, significant differences were found.1. Respondents tended to choose and draw subjects the same gender as themselves to a highly significant degree.2. Males expressed positive attitudes toward solitary subjects, negative attitudes toward relationships to a highly significant degree.3. Females expressed positive attitudes toward solitary subjects, both positive and negative attitudes toward relationships to a highly significant degree.4. Males showed significantly higher frequency than females in drawing about assaultive relationships. However, age and gender differences interacted resulting in a significant age variability in assaultiveness for females but not for males. The proportion of older women who drew pictures about assaultive fantasies exceeded the proportion of older men who did so, as well as the proportion of all other female age groups.5. A converse age and gender interaction was found for caring relationships. Males showed significant age variability whereas females had significant frequency of caring relationships across all age groups. The proportion of younger men who drew pictures about caring relationships exceeded the proportion of younger women who did so, as well as the proportion of all other male age groups.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call