SEX-ROLE ORIENTATION AND FEAR

Data from previous studies suggest that women report higher levels of fear than men do and that individuals who identify with the feminine s ex role report higher level of fear than do individuals who identify w ith the masculine sex role (Carey, Dusek, & Spector, 1988; Dillon, Wol f, & Katz, 1985). The relationship between sex role orientation acid f ear was investigated further in the present study, using self-report a nd behavioral measures. The female participants reported significantly higher levels of fear than did the male participants. Individuals who identified with a feminine sex role reported significantly higher lev els of fear than did individuals who identified with a masculine sex r ole. However, we found no significant difference in behavioral fear am ong the various sex-typed groups.