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DRIVE FOR MUSCULARITY AND MASCULINE NORMS AMONG
YOUNG ADULT MEN WHO REGULARLY ATTEND GYM
MSC APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY DISSERTATION
SUBMITTED TO
PSGR KRISHNAMMAL COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
By
MUNAVIRA
23MPY020
UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
Ms. ARDRA
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology
PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore
THE DRIVE FOR MUSCULARITY AND MASCULINE
NORMS AMONG YOUNG ADULT MEN WHO
REGULARLY ATTEND THE GYM
INTRODUCTION:
The "drive for muscularity" represents a person's desire to increase muscle size and
strength, often linked to an idealized body image emphasizing a muscular, lean
physique (McCreary & Sasse, 2000). This drive encompasses attitudes, behaviors,
and efforts aimed at enhancing muscularity, including workout frequency, dietary
practices, and supplement use.In young adult men who regularly attend the gym, the
drive for muscularity is heightened by social and cultural ideals portraying muscular
physiques as symbols of masculinity, attractiveness, and health (Ricciardelli &
McCabe, 2004). The gym environment reinforces muscular ideals, contributing to
body dissatisfaction or "muscle dysmorphia" – feeling insufficiently muscular
despite significant muscularity.Research indicates gym-goers, especially young
men, experience higher drive for muscularity levels, leading to both positive
(motivation to train) and negative consequences (overtraining, supplement misuse)
(Smith et al., 2019).
Masculine norms refer to socially constructed beliefs, behaviors, and expectations
about how men should act to be perceived as masculine (Mahalik et al., 2007). These
norms promote attributes like physical strength, self-reliance, competitiveness,
dominance, emotional restraint, toughness, and control.In the gym, masculine norms
emphasize physical strength and muscularity, aligning with traditional masculine
standards (Schwartz et al., 2010). For young men, adhering to these norms can affirm
or enhance their masculine identity, making muscularity a proxy for personal value
or social standing.However, strong identification with masculine norms can have
downsides. It can increase pressure to achieve an ideal physique, leading to
excessive exercise, restrictive dieting, or supplement use (Galli & Reel, 2009). This
drive can contribute to body image issues, such as muscle dysmorphia, or unhealthy
coping mechanisms due to a reluctance to express vulnerability.
This study examined the relationship between the drive for muscularity and
masculine norms among young adult men who regularly frequent the gym.
Specifically, it aimed to investigate how societal masculine norms influence
individuals’ male body image perceptions and the extent to which men strive to
achieve muscularity. The study focused on young adult men who regularly attend
the gym, as this population is particularly susceptible to societal pressures to
conform to traditional masculine ideals. Young adult men are often bombarded with
media images and societal expectations that emphasize the importance of
muscularity as a hallmark of masculinity (Bandura, 1977). As a result, many young
adult men feel pressure to achieve a muscular physique, which can lead to body
dissatisfaction and disordered eating and exercise behaviors (Leit, Pope, & Gray,
2001; Cafri & Thompson, 2004).
The drive for muscularity Is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of factors,
including societal masculine norms, media, peers, and family (McCreary & Sasse,
2000). According to Social Learning Theory, individuals learn behaviors and norms
through observation and reinforcement from their environment (Bandura, 1977). In
the context of muscularity, this means that young adult men may adopt muscularity
ideals as a way to conform to traditional masculine norms. Gender Role Strain
Theory (GRST) also provides insight into the relationship between masculine norms
and muscularity, suggesting that societal expectations around traditional masculine
roles can lead to stress when individuals feel they cannot meet these standards
(Pleck, 1981). For men, achieving a muscular body often aligns with perceived
masculinity, and failure to attain it can result in anxiety and dissatisfaction with body
image.
The Tripartite Influence Model also explains how societal factors such as media,
peers, and family influence body image through internalization and social
comparison (Smolak & Levine, 2001). Men internalize the muscular male ideal
promoted by media and peers, leading to behaviors aimed at increasing muscularity.
Studies have consistently shown that exposure to media emphasizing muscular male
bodies increases dissatisfaction with one’s physique and the drive to achieve
muscularity (Leit, Pope, & Gray, 2001). Additionally, the Conformity to Masculine
Norms Inventory (CMNI) has linked adherence to masculine norms with behaviors
such as excessive exercise, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating (Mahalik et
al., 2003).
Furthermore, the Dual Pathway Model of Muscle Dysmorphia suggests that
masculine norms influence both self-objectification and body surveillance, leading
to muscle dysmorphia (Olivardia, 2001). Men may engage in behaviors like
excessive gym use or steroid consumption to align with societal ideals. Sociocultural
theories argue that societal norms emphasize muscularity as a measure of success,
dominance, and masculinity, which pressures men to conform to these ideals through
rigorous exercise or dietary changes (Smolak & Levine, 2001). Overall, this study
highlights the complex relationship between masculine norms, body image, and the
drive for muscularity among young adult men who regularly attend the gym.
Muscularity is closely associated with masculinity in Western culture, serving as a
visible symbol of strength, power, and male identity (Helgeson, 1994). Societal
norms often equate these constructs, creating pressures for men to develop a
muscular physique. Masculine norms refer to societal expectations dictating
appropriate male behaviors, such as emotional control, risk-taking, dominance, and
an emphasis on physical strength (Mahalik et al., 2003). These norms are reinforced
through social comparison, a process described by Festinger (1954), where
individuals evaluate themselves against others and strive to align with societal ideals.
The drive for muscularity, defined as “attitudes and behaviors reflecting a
preoccupation with increasing muscularity” (McCreary & Sasse, 2000, p. 300), is
strongly influenced by adherence to traditional masculine norms. For instance,
norms like risk-taking and emotional control have been found to correlate positively
with the drive for muscularity. These dynamics are particularly evident in athletic
contexts where muscularity fulfills both functional roles (e.g., improved
performance, injury prevention) and sociocultural expectations (Steinfeldt et al.,
2011).
Conforming to masculine norms enhances the drive for muscularity, as these
norms often promote a muscular physique as a core component of male identity. In
contexts such as sports, where athletes are required to demonstrate physical
dominance, this drive is further amplified. These pressures are not only functional
but also rooted in sociocultural ideals of appearance, intimidation, and attractiveness
(Messner, 1990; McCreary et al., 2005). The relationship between muscularity and
masculine norms is complex, with muscularity serving as a visible symbol of
masculinity and masculine norms promoting the development of a muscular
physique.
The drive for muscularity is closely tied to masculine norms, with societal
expectations and social comparison playing a significant role in shaping male
behaviors and attitudes towards muscularity. Understanding the dynamics between
muscularity and masculine norms is essential for developing effective interventions
aimed at promoting healthy body image and reducing the pressure to conform to
traditional masculine ideals.
