Just One More ‘How are the Gays Different?’ Study
A new study by psychologist Tom Dickins of the University of East London shows that gay men have more empathy and are less aggressive than heterosexual men, but when it come to things like spreading malicious gossip, men of both groups seem equally as likely to be the guilty party behind *that* rumor floating around about you.
From PHYSORG.COM:
Young men can be aggressive – even during the season of goodwill. Now, a new study by University of East London (UEL) psychologist Tom Dickins shows how patterns of male aggression vary with sexual orientation.
According to the findings of the study, forthcoming in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, homosexual men score higher for empathy and show significantly lower levels of physical aggression than heterosexual men.
However they do show similar levels of non-physical and indirect aggression, that is the ability to inflict pain while avoiding identification and counter-aggression, for example by spreading malicious gossip.
The study results don’t surprise me, but I’m really intrigued by the “Personality and Individual Differences” journal. There’s a whole journal devoted to individual differences? Editing and publishing that mag has to be one of the ultimates in job security!