PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THE MULTIFACTORIAL APPROACH TO THE STUDYOF GENDER CHARACTERISTICS

Two studies examined the relation of gender-related physical character istics (such as a deep voice or broad shoulders) to other aspects of g ender. The first study used an open-ended survey to identify physical characteristics and mannerisms that are associated with judgements of masculinity and femininity in men and women. In a second study, subjec ts' gender-related physical attributes and mannerisms were coded durin g a five minute videotaped interaction and related to other aspects of gender such as personality traits, interests and role behaviors, gend er identity, and gender adequacy. The results showed that gender-relat ed physical attributes were consistently associated with other gender characteristics for men but not women. The studies suggest that physic al characteristics and mannerisms should be included as an important c omponent in the emerging multifactorial conception of gender identity.