Sigmund Freud was the first to suggest the idea that "macho attitudes" and affinity for things of large size among males were linked to insecurity with their masculinity and "other things" of a small size. More recently, a Cornell research study has found evidence that this is true.
The study was conducted on both male and female students, where the subjects had their masculinity or femininity (respectively) questioned or threatened by the researchers through remarks about their lack of supposedly masculine or feminine characteristics. They found that men who were made to feel insecure about their masculinity were more likely to support the war in Iraq, display homophobic attitudes, and be interested in purchasing an SUV. Interest in other types of cars were unchanged. Women were unaffected, whether they received positive or negative feedback.
This confirms Freud's idea of "male overcompensation," where men feel the need to make up for their own inadequacies with what they perceive to be "masculine attributes." These include homophobia, a pro-war stance, and ownership of a large vehicle. The men were also found to be more ashamed, guilty, hostile, and upset when their masculinity was put into question. It certainly is amusing, seeing as how the "manly man" is expected to not openly reveal such feminine weaknesses like, God forbid, emotion. Ironically, our inflated male pride propped up in order to conceal our deflated self esteem stems from those very emotional responses we aren't supposed to be feeling.
So, next time a man adopts a belligerent stance where he feels the need to prop himself up by trying to appear hypermasculine, remember: he isn't necessarily a right-wing, bigoted war-mongerer. He might just be feeling a bit small.
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