What, I′m not good enough for you? Individual differences in masculine honor beliefs and the endorsement of aggressive responses to romantic rejection

Abstract

Men sometimes respond aggressively (e.g., physical aggression, vulgar name calling) to women who reject their romantic advances. We hypothesized masculine honor beliefs (i.e., beliefs that compel men to defend their reputations against threats and insults) would be positively associated with perceptions that men's aggressive responses to rejection are appropriate. Across two studies, we examined the relationship between masculine honor beliefs and perceptions of a man's aggressive responses to a woman's rejecting his attempts to initiate a romantic relationship. Consistent with hypotheses, as participants' masculine honor beliefs increased, so did their perceptions that a man's aggressive responses to the woman rejecting his attempt to initiate a relationship with her were more appropriate. Interestingly, we found higher levels of masculine honor beliefs were not associated with the perceptions that the man's aggressive responses were more appropriate when the rejection, and his consequent response, were more public. This research begins investigation into the factors that may explain why some men respond aggressively toward women who reject their advances, and suggests these antisocial responses may be rooted in the defense and maintenance of their perceived social (i.e., honor) reputations.