A research note on male‐female differentials in the experience of heterosexual love

Abstract

This study focuses on sex differences in love experience. Although there is a paucity of data on male-female differences in love behavior, the existing literature suggests differential response patterns. More specifically, there appears to be some convergence of evidence suggestive of males being than females. Kephart (1966) reports that approximately twice as many males as females indicate it was very easy to become attracted to persons of the opposite sex. Burgess and Wallin (1953) and others (Combs and Kenkel, 1966) found that males rather than females were apt to show interest in their partners at the time of their initial encounter. There is also evidence that males score higher than females on romanticism scales (Hobart, 1958). Hawkins (1962), studying love relationships of college students, found that males were significantly likely to recognize love earlier than were females. It is curious then, leaving aside for the moment possible explanations for such a differential, that we do entertain a popular stereotype-culturally fostered and perpetuated in the entertainment media-of the female as the being. She is readily portrayed as impulsive and somewhat foolish in the affairs of the heart. The male, on the other hand, is pictured as the relatively sensible and sober party. We propose to present evidence suggesting that the sex ascription of the label more romantic is probably a fruitless and unwarranted exercise. Either the male or female can be the recipient of the more romantic label, depending upon which criterion is employed for assessing romanticism.