This study reassesses the validity of the status-envy hypothesis of sex
identity acquisition. Tests of the relationship of the measures employed
in existing status-envy research to more direct indexes of the inde
pendent variables suggest that status-envy investigations are not
tapping the conditions that are conducive to envy of the female status.
More direct tests of the status-envy theory also indicate that the
hypothesis is not supported by the available data. Divergent causes and
interpretations of the proposed consequences of status-envy are
proposed.
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