MALE PSYCHOLOGY: 10 INTERESTING FEATURES - ARTE - 2025

In this article I will explain male psychology and its characteristics in love, social life, aggressiveness, work and general life. We will analyze what qualities identify the male gender, what behaviors men typically perform, how male identity has developed and what have been the most influential factors.

When we analyze the human being, a series of differences become noticeable that allow us to distinguish between the psychology of men and women. Each of the two genders has a number of specific physical and psychological qualities.

Despite the diversity that we can find within the male gender, it is evident that when we try to define the male sex, a series of genetic characteristics predominate, both physical and psychological and behavioral.

However, if we make a quick review of the evolution of the human species in general, and man in particular, it is connoted that the human being as man has evolved over time.

How are the differences produced?

A scientific study published in the Journal of Anatomy concluded that the parietal areas of the brain, located in the posterior region of the cerebral cortex, have developed significantly since the beginning of Homo sapiens.

This fact shows us that the human brain has been changing over time and therefore, the evolution of the human being as a species has had a great influence on the shaping of the male identity that we know today.

This means that the roles and behaviors that man has been performing throughout his evolution have had a great influence on the establishment of brain structures and current psychic characteristics.

Focusing on this evolution of the male gender, it becomes clear that the fact that there are physical differences (marked by human genetics) have forced man as a species to develop a series of specific roles.

Roles of man

The roles developed by men since the beginning of their species are popularly known, and contain a series of determined behaviors: hunting to feed their family, protecting the weakest members of the community, fighting against possible threats, etc.

The performance of these behaviors, aimed at self-survival and the survival of the species, gradually formed the typical behavioral pattern of man, as well as his psychic, behavioral and personality configuration.

Thus, it should not surprise us that certain psychological characteristics, signs of identity, and typical behaviors of the man of the 21st century, are shared with those peculiarities that defined man at the beginning of the human species.

Apart from the evolution of the human species, which has played a fundamental role in shaping the current male identity, the socialization process in a constantly changing environment, and where the differentiation between two different genders marks the behavior patterns since we are born, it has also had its influence.

Consequently, we could highlight 3 key aspects in the conformation of the current male identity which are the following: the genetic and biological aspects of man, the evolution of the male sex since the beginning of the human species, and the social and cultural construct to which belongs.

10 Characteristics of male psychology

Next, we are going to review 10 characteristics, which in my opinion, are related to male psychology and define, in many cases, the typical behavioral patterns of the male sex.

1-Aggression

According to a study conducted by Pleck and Jurgenson in 2004, male identity is associated with aggressiveness.

For this reason, we do not understand antisocial behavior with the intention of damaging the interests of others, but we do understand a greater predisposition than women to combativeness when it is considered necessary or appropriate.

2-Competitiveness

One of the basic needs of the male sex is protection. Due to the role that man has played throughout his evolution, the power to protect his own has become a basic requirement for the conformation of his identity.

4-Power

According to a study carried out by Lozoya in 19997, this is another sign of man's identity, formed in the social and cultural context in which the male sex develops: having and exercising power.

5-Absence of expression of emotions

This typical aspect of men is strongly marked by stereotypes and the social functioning of the male gender.

Men do not have in their essence a lower range of emotions and feelings than women, but they do carry out a different management and execute a lesser expression of these aspects.

6-Obsession for work

Due to the stereotypes of the male sex and the roles that man has developed during much of the existence of the human species, even today there is still a great intrinsic need to work as a show of power.

7-Adventurers and dominants

Typically, men are much more adventurous and dominant than women.

In fact, a review by Reddick in 2011, assured that this aspect forms a basic attitude of the masculine identity.

8-Leadership

Men are more likely than women to adopt leadership roles in social and interpersonal relationships.

Relationship stereotypes carried over for hundreds of years can be a fundamental factor in this fact.

9-Independence and freedom

Although this aspect has not been much studied in recent years, it is true that society still has a greater acceptance of independence and freedom in men than in women.

10-Family

However, despite the “social norm” that point 9 could mark, men are characterized by being highly familiar. The fact of having their own family gives men a masculine identity.

References

1. Paul T. Costa Jr., Antonio Terracciano, and Robert R. McCrae (2001). Gender Differences in Personality Traits Across Cultures: Robust and Surprising Findings. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2001, Vol. 81, No. 2,322-331
2. Pleck, Joseph and Álvarez Gayou Jurgenson, J. L "Perceptions and opinions on masculinity." Jerez City Council (2004)
3. Reddick, RJ, Rochlen, AB, Grasso, JR, Reilly, ED, & Spikes, DD (2011, April 18). Academic Fathers Pursuing Tenure: A Qualitative Study of Work-Family Conflict, Coping Strategies, and Departmental Culture. Psychology of Men & Masculinity. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037 / a0023206