Androgyny and Politics

Through the use of experimental method, this article examines the impact of sex of subjects, sex of candidates, the offices sought by candidates (legislative or executive), and whether candidates win or lose on the basis of their perceived masculinity or femininity. The findings indicate that candidates who seek executive offices are perceived as being more masculine than candidates who seek legislative offices. Male candidates who lose their elections are perceived as less masculine than winners, while female candidates who win are perceived as less feminine than losers. These findings may help explain why fewer women run for office than men.