PROPULSION - A BEHAVIORAL EXPRESSION OF MASCULINITY

Based upon studies of children's sex-typed behaviours, it is theorized that a forceful, forward motor behaviour, or propulsion, is an integr al component of several masculine sex-typed behaviours. To test the re lation between propulsion and masculinity, a game of tag was designed to elicit propulsion from 3- to 5-year-old children. In addition, in S tudy 1, teachers rated children's degree of masculinity and, in Study 2, the masculinity of children's toy preferences was assessed. Results showed a significant relation between propulsion and of masculinity. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of considering motor behaviour in studies of sex typing.