Abstract
An investigation of sex differences in same-sex friendships was conducted in terms of the intersection and social penetration model of relationship development, and Bem's theory of sex role orientation. The results indicated that there were significant sex differences in the nature of the same-sex friendships studied. In the terminology of Levinger's (“Toward the Analysis of Close Relationships,” Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1980, 16, 510–544) intersection model, female same-sex friendships indicated greater involvement. In the terminology of Altman and Taylor's (Social Penetration: The Development of Interpersonal Relationships, New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1973) social penetration model, female friendships demonstrated greater depth. Overall, the female friendships were of longer duration than those of the males. The differences in involvement and depth were found within each designated level of friendship (causal, good, and close). However, the difference in involvement was moderated by the sex role orientation of the participants, in that the sex difference was greater between sex-typed individuals than between androgynous individuals. An examination of questionnaire subscale intercorrelations indicated that females tended to seek friends to whom they could relate in many different areas, while males tended to develop different relationships to meet different needs.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships. New York: Holt, Rinehard & Winston, 1973.
Aries, E. J., & Johnson, F. L. Close friendship in adulthood: Conversational content between same-sex friends. Sex Roles, 1983, 9, 1183–1195.
Bell, R. R. Friendships of women and men. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 1981, 5, 402–417.
Bem, S. L. The assessment of psychological androgyny. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1974, 42, 155–162.
Black, H., & Angelis, V. B. Sex role differences in the patterning of love among college students. Psychology, 1975, 12, 50–53.
Booth, A. Sex and social participation. American Sociological Review, 1972, 37, 183–192.
Caldwell, M. A., & Peplau, L. A. Sex differences in same-sex friendship. Sex Roles, 1982, 8, 721–732.
Cozby, P. C. Self-disclosure: A literature review. Psychological Bulletin, 1973, 79, 73–91.
Davidson, L. R., & Duberman, L. Friendship: Communication and interaction pattern in same-sex dyads. Sex Roles, 1982, 8, 809–822.
Donelson, E., & Gullahorn, J. E. Women: A psychological perspective. New York: Wiley, 1977.
Edwards, A. L. An introduction to linear regression and correlation, 2nd ed. New York: W. H. Freeman and Company, 1984.
Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. Sexual behavior in the human male. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 1948.
Lawlis, G. F., & Lu, E. Judgment of counseling process: Reliability, agreement, and error. Psychological Bulletin, 1972, 78, 17–20.
Levinger, G. Toward the analysis of close relationships. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 1980, 16, 510–544.
Parham, W. D., & Tinsley, H. E. What are friends for? Students' expectations of the friendship encounter. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1980, 27, 524–527.
Pedhauzer, E. J., & Tetenbaum, T. J. Bem Sex Role Inventory: A theoretical and methodological critique. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1979, 37, 996–1016.
Rands, M., & Levinger, G. Implicit theories of relationship: An intergenerational study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1979, 37, 645–661.
Small, A., Gross, R., Erdwins, C., & Gessner, T. Social attitude correlates of sex role. Journal of Psychology, 1979, 101, 115–121.
Spence, J. T. Masculinity, femininity, and gender-related traits: A conceptual analysis and critique of current research. Progress in Experimental Personality Research, 1984, 13, 1–97.
Spence, J. T., & Helmreich, R. L. Masculinity and femininity: Their psychological dimensions, correlates, and antecedents. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1978.
Stokes, J., Fuehrer, A., & Childs, L. Gender differences in self-disclosure to various target persons. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1980, 27, 192–198.
Tiger, L. Men in groups. New York: Vintage, 1969.
Weiss, L., & Lowenthal, M. F. Four stages of life. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1975.
Williams, D. G. Gender, masculinity-femininity, and emotional intimacy in same-sex friendship. Sex Roles, 1985, 12, 587–600.
Wright, P. H. Men's friendships, women's friendships, and the alleged inferiority of the latter. Sex Roles, 1982, 8, 1–20.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Barth, R.J., Kinder, B.N. A theoretical analysis of sex differences in same-sex friendships. Sex Roles 19, 349–363 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00289842
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00289842