Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
11:51
Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making
Published on: March 2, 2011
Beyond the caveman: rethinking masculinity in relation to men's help-seeking
1University of Exeter, UK. h.r.farrimond@exeter.ac.uk
Health (London, England : 1997)
|May 24, 2011
Summary
Men often avoid healthcare due to masculine norms. However, higher SES men reframe help-seeking as responsible action, potentially improving gender equality but risking increased social inequality.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of Health and Illness
- Gender Studies
- Men's Health
Background:
- Men statistically underutilize healthcare services compared to women.
- This is often attributed to hegemonic masculinity, which emphasizes stoicism and self-reliance.
- Limited research explores masculinity's intersection with Western socio-cultural health-seeking norms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how higher socio-economic status (SES) men's help-seeking behaviors relate to masculinity and health.
- To uncover the 'interpretive repertoires' men use to discuss health, illness, and healthcare access.
- To analyze the influence of socio-cultural contexts on men's health-seeking.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with 14 higher SES men.
- Analysis of participants' 'interpretive repertoires' regarding masculinity, health, and help-seeking.
- Exploration of how dominant masculine codes are negotiated in relation to healthcare engagement.
Main Results:
- Participants acknowledged the 'Neanderthal Man' stereotype of men avoiding doctors.
- They described their own help-seeking as responsible, problem-solving, and maintaining control.
- Help-seeking was reframed as proactive 'taking action,' aligning with the 'expert patient' model.
Conclusions:
- Reconstructing masculinity from 'Neanderthal Man' to 'Action Man' may enhance men's healthcare access and promote gender equality.
- This shift could potentially increase social inequalities among men of different SES backgrounds.
- Understanding men's health-seeking requires considering both masculine norms and broader socio-cultural factors.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
01:20Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
01:27Horney's Sociocultural Approach
Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theories emphasize the potential for self-realization and the importance of addressing social and cultural, rather than biological, factors in personality development. She challenged traditional Freudian views, particularly Freud's concept of "penis envy," which she argued stemmed from cultural influences rather than inherent biological differences. Horney believed that any sense of inferiority in women was a result of societal conditioning, such as dependence on...
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group effort.