The Hypermasculinity Inventory is a 30-item scale designed to assess presence of a hypermasculine or “macho” attitude. The scale comprises three sub-scales: callous sexual attitudes toward women (CS), perceiving violence as manly (V), and perceiving danger as exciting (D). Each item has two response options, one of which reflects a hypermasculine attitude. Respondents choose one option per item.
Categories
Geographies Tested: United States of America
Populations Included: Male
Age Range: Adolescents, Adults
Items:
After I’ve gone through a really dangerous experience my knees feel weak and I shake all over.
After I’ve been through a really dangerous experience I feel high. (*D)
I’d rather gamble than play it safe. (*D)
I’d rather play it safe than gamble.
Call me a name and I’ll pretend not to hear you.
Call me a name and I’ll call you another. (*V)
Fair is fair in love and war.
All is fair in love and war. (*CS)
I like wild, uninhibited parties. (*D)
I like quiet parties with good conversations.
I hope to forget past unpleasant experiences with male aggression.
I still enjoy remembering my first real fight. (*V)
Some people have told me I take foolish risks. (*D)
Some people have told me I ought to take more chances.
So-called effeminate men are more artistic and sensitive.
Effeminate men deserve to be ridiculed. (*V)
Get a woman drunk, high, or hot and she’ll let you do whatever you want. (*CS)
It’s gross and unfair to use alcohol and drugs to convince a woman to have sex.
I like fast cars and fast women. (*D)
I like dependable cars and faithful women.
So-called prick teasers should be forgiven.
Prick teasers should be raped. (*CS)
When I have a few drinks under my belt, I mellow out.
When I have a few drinks under my belt, I look for trouble. (*V)
Any man who is a man needs to have sex regularly. (*CS)
Any man who is a man can do without sex.
All women, even women’s libbers are worthy of respect.
The only woman worthy of respect is your own mother. (*CS)
You have to fuck some women before they know who’s boss. (*CS)
You have to love some women before they know you don’t want to be boss.
When I have a drink or two I feel ready for whatever happens. (*D)
When I have a drink or two I like to relax and enjoy myself.
Risk has to be weighed against possible maximum loss.
There is no such thing as too big a risk, if the payoff is large enough. (*D)
I win by not fighting.
I fight to win. (*V)
It’s natural for men to get into fights. (*V)
Physical violence never solves an issue.
If you’re not prepared to fight for what’s yours, then be prepared to lose it. (*V)
Even if you feel like fighting, I try to think of alternatives.
He who can, fights; he who can’t runs away. (*V)
It’s just plain dumb to fist fight.
When I’m bored I watch TV or read a book.
When I’m bored I look for excitement. (*D)
I like to drive safely avoiding all possible risks.
I like to drive fast right on the edge of danger. (*D)
Pick-ups should expect to put out. (*CS)
So-called pick-ups should choose their men carefully.
Some women are good for only one thing. (*CS)
All women deserve the same respect as your own mother.
I only want to have sex with women who are in total agreement.
I never feel bad about my tactics when I have sex. (*CS)
I would rather be a famous scientist than a famous prizefighter.
I would rather be a famous prizefighter than a famous scientist. (*D)
Lesbians have a chosen a particular lifestyle and should be respected for it.
The only thing a lesbian needs is a good, stiff cock. (*CS)
If you are chosen for a fight, there’s no choice but to fight. (*V)
If you are chosen, for a fight, it’s time to talk your way out of it.
If you insult me, be prepared to back it up. (*V)
If you insult me, I’ll try to turn the other cheek.
Scoring Procedures
Scores are summed based on the number of hypermasculine scenarios a respondent selects. Although each of the three 10-item subscales could be considered individually, they are all part of the hypermasculine or “macho” personality construct.
Original Citation
Mosher, D. L., & Sirkin, M. (1984). Measuring a macho personality constellation. Journal of research in personality, 18(2), 150-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/0092-6566(84)90026-6