Abstract
Despite the importance of affectionatecommunication for relational development andmaintenance, individuals expressing affection incur anumber of risks, including possible misinterpretation ofthe expressions as sexual overtures. These risks appear to bemagnified in the male-male relationship, where overtexpressions of affection may be all but prohibited bynormative expectancies. The present study examines expectancies for appropriate male-maleaffection. Although empirical research supports the ideathat overt affection is considered less appropriate inmale-male relationships than in relationships with women, it also suggests that three variablesmay moderate this expectancy: relationship type,emotional intensity of the context, and privacy level ofthe context. An experimental procedure with 140 men (approximately 95% caucasian) confirmed themoderating effects of these variables.
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Morman, M.T., Floyd, K. “I Love You, Man”: Overt Expressions of Affection in Male Male Interaction. Sex Roles 38, 871–881 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018885417249
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018885417249