Masculinity Priming

Most research on the link between masculinity-related constructs and psychology well-being has been conducted using correlational rather than experimental research designs. To address this limitation, this study tested the effects of activating men’s subjective masculinity experiences on state self-esteem by randomly assigning 183 men into either a masculinity priming condition or a control priming condition. Consistent with the social identity paradigm, participants who received masculinity priming reported higher state self-esteem than those in the control priming condition. A moderation effect showed that masculinity priming exerted the strongest effect on self-esteem among men with relatively negative self-perceptions. These findings are discussed within the context of the need for more experimental research on masculinity-related constructs.