Introduction: Precarious manhood theory posits that manhood is socially constructed and must be earned by acquiring masculine capital. Previous research has suggested that there may be a link between threatened masculinity and a higher drive for muscularity. The current study tested this hypothesis experimentally. Methods: Male undergraduate students (N = 395) were either told that they did poorly on a cognitive task explicitly tied to a masculinity norm (i.e., future earning potential) or they were not given any feedback. Results: Participants in the masculinity threat condition subsequently reported a higher drive for muscularity than did those in the control condition. Sexual orientation did not moderate this effect. Discussion: One of the ways in which men feel that they must earn masculine capital is by having a muscular body. Drive for muscularity is heightened in situations that prime threatened masculinity. The current findings imply practice implications for men struggling with negative body image.

简介：不稳定男子气概理论认为，男子气概是社会建构的，必须通过获得男性资本来获得。先前的研究表明，受到威胁的男子气概与更高的肌肉驱动力之间可能存在联系。目前的研究通过实验检验了这一假设。方法：男本科生（N = 395）要么被告知他们在与男性气质规范（即未来收入潜力）明确相关的认知任务上表现不佳，要么他们没有得到任何反馈。结果：男性气质威胁条件下的参与者随后报告了比控制条件下的参与者更高的肌肉驱动力。性取向并没有缓和这种影响。讨论：男人觉得自己必须赚取男性资本的方式之一就是拥有肌肉发达的身体。在威胁男子气概的情况下，肌肉发达的动力会增强。目前的研究结果暗示了对与负面身体形象作斗争的男性的实践意义。