The social dominance orientation in adolescence: the role of gender identity and stereotypical male and female traits

This study aims to evaluate the invariance hypothesis proposed by Social Dominance Theory in adolescents. Moreover, it also suggests an alternative model which describes the influence of stereotypes and gender identity on social dominance orientation. To do so, the three variables were measured using scales in a sample consisting of 107 participants aged between 14 and 16. The results showed there was no significant relationship between gender and social dominance scores, nor were there significant differences in the levels of this variable between males and females. Multiple regression analysis showed that the assignment of male stereotypes in both males and females explained social dominance orientation scores and the direction of the positive relationship. Furthermore, with regard to gender identity dimensions, results showed that the dimension related to private self-esteem was the factor that explained the scores in males' dominance orientation, while the self-perception of having a feminine physique explained females' social dominance.