College males and females were given measures of identity status, intimacy status, and self-esteem. Males were found to focus on intrapersonal aspects of identity, females on interpersonal aspects. The pursuit of various identity development pathways affected self-esteem differentially each sex. Sex differences in intimacy were also found.…

Romance novels have become increasingly popular and sexually explicit, in part because women may gain a sense of self through reading them and perhaps in reaction to the patriarchal structure of society. Women may seek escape and a sense of self-identity through the novels'"larger-than-life" characters and predictable endings. Readers of…

This study investigated objections to Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) items by black and white males and females classified as high or low trust by Rotter's Interpersonal Trust Scale. Low-trust subjects objected to more items than high-trust subjects. Race and sex did not influence number of items objected to. (Author)

The current trend toward increased participation of women in the work force has produced an emerging contemporary model of dual career families. Previous research about the dynamics of successful working couples has emphasized the need for an investigation of personality characteristics of such couples. Dual career couples (N=51) were separated…

This research investigates how androgynous men and women are evaluated relative to those who are sex-typed or sex reversed, and also investigates the joint effects of attractiveness and sex-role upon such evaluation. Two studies with replicable results were conducted. In each, approximately 185 male and 185 female undergraduates were asked to rate…

Reviews research on changes in personality, social involvement, and roles which occur in the latter half of life, with a particular focus upon the differing and often divergent directions that men and women take. Considers the significance of these changes both to the individual and to marital harmony. (Author)

Early personality and environmental characteristics that predict later problematic aggression and depression in children were investigated longitudinally. A developmental psychopathology approach was taken. (This approach assumes that patterns of adaptation and maladaptation in development can best be understood when explored simultaneously and…

A study explored teachers' descriptions of themselves and of children to whom they were attached or for whom they felt rejection. Forty-two elementary classroom teachers (11 male and 31 female) from 16 different schools identified 3 "attachment" students and 3 "rejection" students using 5 personality descriptors and 5 physical descriptors. Two…

Analyzes the responses of 160 male and female undergraduates with either an androgynous, masculine, or feminine sex role orientation who judged the intimacy and commonness of masculine and feminine self-disclosures attributed to either men or women. Gender, but not sexual orientation, influenced ratings. (FMW)

Finds that (1) under certain conditions, females (uninvolved third-party observers) appear to be more sensitive to relational deception than males and report more negative attitudes and perceptions of the deceiver's character, competence, and sociability; and (2) the consequence for the target impacted both observer attitude toward the specific…

Surveyed male and female adults to test several hypotheses about the relationship between sex, gender, personality, and social support. Overall, gender, but not sex, significantly correlated with patterns of social support. Femininity in both sexes associated with seeking and receiving emotional support, and with seeking and receiving support from…

Surprisingly little research has studied the relationship of sex roles and marital adjustment, although one would assume these variables would be related. In addition, no significant relationships have been found between androgyny and marital satisfaction. To study the relationship of sex roles, particularly androgyny, to marital adjustment, 55…

Investigates number of Rorschach responses given by male and female Ss to male and female Es. Results reveal male E-female S situation produces unique results. (EK)

Extends sex bias research to personality measures, distinguishes two new types of sex bias, and provides a methodology for testing these biases. Findings suggest the two aspects of trust are sex linked. The hypothesis that more important trusting decisions are made toward men is questioned. (Author/BEF)