The Predictive and Discriminant Validity of Masculinity Ideology

Abstract

Masculinity ideology is the extent to which an individual endorses traditional male-role norms. The present study examined the discriminant validity of this construct relative to other gender-related constructs. The subjects were 269 male participants who completed measures of masculinity ideology, sex-role orientation, gender-relation attitudes, and several outcome variables (e.g., homophobia) potentially related to these gender-related constructs. Masculinity ideology demonstrated substantial predictive validity and good discriminant validity by accounting for unique variance in several outcome variables such as homophobia, hostility, adversarial views of sexual relationships, and reported sexual activity. In addition, confirmatory factor analysis of Male Role Norms Scale (Thompson & Pleck, 1986) replicated itsa priori,three-factor structure. The results suggest that masculinity ideology offers a useful perspective for understanding the relation between male-role norms and important outcome variables.