Self-perception and deceptive behavior: The uniqueness of feminine males

The present study investigated the relationship between deception and self-perception of traditionally masculine and feminine characteristics. In the first stage of the study, 730 fifth and sixth graders (377 boys and 353 girls), all Jewish Israelis, completed an adapted form of the BSRI (Bem, 1974). In the second stage of the study, 154 boys were given three types of questionnaires, one consisting of questions dealing with traditionally masculine topics, the second with traditionally feminine topics, and the third with neutral topics. Since most of the questions were very difficult, participants faced failure, but were given an opportunity to deceive and pretend to know more than they really did. It was found, as predicted, that cross-sex males, i.e., those who self-endorse a large amount of traditionally feminine characteristics and a small amount of traditionally masculine characteristics, were a unique group. They were the only group who deceived more on the gender-inconsistent than gender-consistent task. The other gender role groups deceived more on the gender-consistent task than on the gender-inconsistent task, or equally on both tasks. The results are discussed within the context of the debate over the meaning of self-endorsement of masculine and feminine traits.