Sex differences in the interpersonal behavior of married couples.

Abstract

We sought to identify and predict the major ways in which males and females differ in interpersonal behavior. Self and observer act reports were used to assess performance frequencies of 800 acts in a sample of 93 married couples over a three-month period. Although numerous sex differences were found with respect to each data source, only 69 acts showed significant sex differences across both data sources. Subsequently, these 69 acts were factor analyzed separately for the two data sources in order to identify the major dimensions of sex difference. Four clear and comparable factors emerged from the two analyses: Coercive-Manipulative, Communal, Flashy Attire, and Initiative. Standard masculinity-femininity scales were used to predict composites based on the factor loadings. The California Psychological Inventory Femininity scale correlated highly with most composites for the total sample, suggesting considerable predictive power in identifying dimensions of sex difference. The Spence-Helmreich Extended Personality Attribute Questionnaire scales correlated strongly with the factor composites within sex, but less so for the total sample. Results are discussed in terms of strategies for assessing sex differences in interpersonal behavior, alternative foci of convenience for different masculinity and femininity scales, and the use of multiple data sources to transcend single-source limitations.