Sex and Sexual Orientation Differences in Personality in China

• DOI: 10.1007/s10508-010-9700-6
• Publication Date: 2010-11-15T19:30:36Z
• Authors: Lijun Zheng; Richard A. Lippa; Yong Zheng
• Keywords: Male; Masculinity; China; Internet; Sex Characteristics; Emotions; 05 social sciences; Homosexuality, Female; Femininity; 5. Gender equality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Female; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Homosexuality, Male; Heterosexuality; 10. No inequality; Personality

Using data from an Internet survey, we assessed masculinity-femininity (self-ascribed masculinity-femininity [Self-MF], gender-related interests, instrumentality, expressiveness) and Big Five personality traits in a Chinese sample of 201 heterosexual men, 220 homosexual men, 353 heterosexual women, and 215 homosexual women. Sex differences and sexual orientation differences were largest for gender-related interests and Self-MF. Homosexual-heterosexual differences in emotional stability were opposite for men and women, supporting the "gender shift" over the "social stress" hypothesis. Sex and sexual orientation differences in gender-related interests, Self-MF, and emotional stability observed in China were consistent with those found in other countries, suggesting possible biological influences. In contrast, group differences in other traits were more variable, suggesting possible cultural influences.