The Masculinity-Aggression Link: Increasing Aggressive Behavior through Priming Masculinity

Masculinity is a gender construct comprised of several types of masculinities. One key commonality across masculinities is a tie to aggression. Because masculinity and aggression are so closely linked, men whose masculinity is threatened often defend their manhood through displays of aggression (Bosson \u26 Vandello, 2011). Aggressive behavior can also be increased by priming aggression-related concepts (Mussweiler \u26 Förster, 2000; Bargh, Chen, \u26 Burrows, 1996). The present study examines whether simply priming the construct of masculinity can lead to an increase in aggressive behavior. Study 1 establishes a set of images to be used as a masculine prime and a set to be used as a neutral prime. Study 2 assesses the influence of a masculine prime on the accessibility of aggressive thought, but finds no effect. In Study 3, priming masculinity is found to increase aggressive behavior for men who have not received a threat to their masculinity