RESUMO
ABSTRACT This article analyses the relationship between masculine identity and ambivalent sexism, considering concepts of masculinity and culture of honour as mediating variables in this relationship. For this purpose, two studies were carried out with male participants from two regions of Brazil, Midwest (119 participants) and Northeast (117 participants). The results indicated that the concepts of masculinity are mediators of the relationship between masculine identity and ambivalent sexism. In contrast, the culture of honour did not remain significant in the mediation model. We conclude that the conception of masculinity based on hegemonic precepts of gender restates masculine superiority in detriment to the feminine, naturalizes sexism and violent behaviour for maintenance of masculine identity.
RESUMO Este artigo analisa a relação entre identidade masculina e sexismo ambivalente, tomando as concepções de masculinidade e a cultura da honra como variáveis mediadoras dessa relação. Para alcançar este objetivo, foram realizados dois estudos com participantes homens de duas regiões do país, Centro-oeste (119 participantes) e Nordeste (117 participantes). Os resultados indicaram que as concepções de masculinidade são mediadoras da relação entre identidade masculina e o sexismo ambivalente. Em contraste, a cultura da honra não se manteve significativa no modelo da mediação. Conclui-se que a concepção de uma masculinidade, baseada em preceitos hegemônicos de gênero, reafirma a superioridade masculina em detrimento à feminina, e naturaliza práticas de sexismo e comportamentos violentos em defesa da manutenção da identidade masculina.
RESUMO
Consistent with the "flight or fight" model of anxiety, social anxiety may incite withdrawal or attack; yet, it is unclear why some socially anxious individuals are vulnerable to aggress. It may be that culture impacts tendencies to "fight" or "flee" from social threat. Honour cultures, including the American South, permit or even promote aggression in response to honour-threats. Thus, social anxiety in the South may be more associated with aggression than in non-honour cultures. In the current sample, region moderated the relation between social anxiety and aggression; social anxiety related positively to reactive (but not proactive) aggression among Southerners (n = 285), but not Midwesterners (n = 258). Participant sex further moderated the relationship, such that it was significant only for Southern women. Also, for Southerners, prototypically masculine honour-concerns mediated the relationship between social anxiety and reactive aggression. Cultural factors may play key roles in aggressive behaviour among some socially anxious individuals.
