Abstract
The idealized physique preferences of a group of 94 male college students were measured and correlated with scales measuring attitudes toward women and personality rigidity. Three hypotheses, derived from sex-role research, were tested and confirmed: (1) Males who have negative attitudes toward women would like most to have a tapering V physique. (2) Males who have a rigid personality structure have stronger preference for an idealized muscular physique than males with more flexible personalities. (3) Males have a generally greater preference for a tapering V physique than women. It was concluded, from the results of this and other studies, that body preference is related to certain aspects of sex-role attitudes.
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Maier, R.A., Lavrakas, P.J. Attitudes toward women, personality rigidity, and idealized physique preferences in males. Sex Roles 11, 425–433 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287470
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287470