The relationship among self-reported assertiveness, aggressiveness, gender role orientation, and self-concept in young men.

Abstract

Assertiveness is often positively correlated with self0concept and a positive relationship exists between self-concept and both a masculine and an androgynous gender role orientation. However, little research has explored the relationship among these three components. The purpose of this study was to investigate their association. The hypotheses were: young men reporting an assertive behavior style will report a higher self-concept than those reporting an aggressive style; young men reporting a masculine or an androgynous orientation will report higher self-concept than those reporting feminine or undifferentiated orientations; and men reporting an assertive style and a combination of a masculine or an androgynous orientation will report a higher self-concept than any other combination of interpersonal style and gender role orientation. Scores from 65 men between the age of 18 and 25 attending small Midwestern universities were used for data analysis using a 2 X 4 between subjects design. Assertiveness, aggressiveness, and gender role orientation were individually important to self-concept. The interaction effect was no significant. participants who endorsed an assertive style rated their total self-concept higher than those endorsing an aggressive style. Participates endorsing an androgynous orientation rated their total self-concept significantly higher than those endorsing masculine or undifferentiated orientation. Those endorsing a feminine orientation rated their total self-concept higher than those endorsing an undifferentiated orientation. The reported lower self-concept of young men endorsing a masculine role was unexpected. Further studies are needed to ascertain if these results were indicative of subtle attitudinal transitions occurring within today's young men.