Sibling Constellation and Attitudes Toward Women Among College Students

• Published in: The Journal of genetic psychology Vol. 151; no. 4; pp. 541 - 549
• Main Authors: Sugawara, Alan I., Koval, James E., Cate, Rodney M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Taylor & Francis Group 01.12.1990; Heldref; Journal Press, etc; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Behavior. Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Men; Perceptions; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Siblings; Social psychology; Women; Human; Social attitude; Siblingship; Young adult; Sex; Social role; Social learning; Woman
• ISSN: 0022-1325; 1940-0896
• DOI: 10.1080/00221325.1990.9914638

We examined the relationships between sibling constellation and attitudes toward women among 71 male and 75 female college students from intact middle- and upper-middle-class families. Results indicated that, in their attitudes toward women, men were significantly less egalitarian than women. In addition, whereas no significant differences in attitudes toward women were found among women in female sibling constellations, significant differences were found among men in the male sibling constellations. Men with no siblings or with an older brother were less egalitarian in their attitudes toward women than were men with a sister. Men with a younger brother were less egalitarian than were those with an older sister. Furthermore, men with no siblings, or with a younger or an older brother were less egalitarian than women in female sibling constellations. Men in the mixed-siblings group and those with a younger sister were less egalitarian than were women with an older sister and women with a younger brother. Findings were discussed from social learning and role theory perspectives and various inversion effect hypotheses.