Personality characteristics of men with liberal sex-role attitudes

The present study was conducted to provide some initial information on the personality attributes of men oriented toward liberal sex-role views. Fifty-one male college students were given the Attitudes Toward Women Scale and divided into conservative, moderate, and liberal groups. Personality differences among the groups were assessed by comparing scores on nine scales from the Adjective Check List. Findings for liberal men were found to parallel results reported for liberal women on some personality dimensions and complement them on others. As with liberal women, liberal men were found to be more spontaneous, action oriented, risk taking, individualistic, and unconventional than the other male groups. There were also some indications of less self-control. Sex-role attitudes and heterosexuality were curvillinearly related. In direct opposition to results for liberal women, male liberals evidenced the least need for achievement and dominance.