TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Gaining masculine power through guns? The impact of masculinity threat on attitudes toward guns
JO  - Frontiers in psychology
A1  - Kachel, Sven
A1  - Bloch, Tibor
A1  - Bosson, Jennifer K.
A1  - Lorenz, Lea L.
A1  - Steffens, Melanie C.
SP  - e1296261
EP  - e1296261
VL  - 15
IS  - 
N2  - Gun violence is a serious problem in the United States and elsewhere and more so among men than women. We conducted an experiment to examine if men whose masculinity was threatened are more attracted to guns than non-threatened men, presumably to compensate for the threat. After completing a gender knowledge test, men (N = 168) randomly received either false masculinity threatening (experimental condition) or masculinity affirming (control condition) feedback. Subsequently, we measured men's attitudes toward guns and their choice of a gun-range voucher. Men whose masculinity was threatened (vs. affirmed) showed more positive attitudes toward guns and were more likely to choose the voucher. Both effects were statistically significant when the whole sample was analyzed and when very strict exclusion criteria were applied. However, when data exclusions were based on a suspicion check, effects were statistically significant only when a covariate was included (i.e., social dominance orientation, patriotism, or experience with guns). We discuss reasons for this mixed evidence, including the possibility that suspicion regarding the masculinity feedback could itself be a compensatory reaction to threat.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1664-1078
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1296261
ID  - ref1
ER  -