Male attractiveness: Masculinity with a feminine touch

Abstract

Female subjects either listened to prerecorded responses, or read verbatim transcripts, of two males answering 10 questions on topics such as car repairs, career opportunities, and romantic interests. One set of answers was constructed to reflect stereotypical masculine activities and interests; the second set, to reflect stereotypical masculineand feminine activities and interests. Following exposure to the males’ answers, subjects rated theandrogynous male more likable, intelligent, moral, mentally healthy, appropriate, and honest than themasculine male. Correlational results indicated, however, that, for the androgynous male, masculinity was positively related to, and femininity was negatively related to, a number of personal dimensions. Hierarchical regression analyses supported a “masculine model” of personal evaluation.