Background Davis’ Social Construction Theory - Male

Davis’ Social Construction Theory of college men’s gender identity development examines gender role conflict as it pertains to males. Although Davis (2002) acknowledges much of the study of psychosocial development in college students has been conducted by men and about men, she notes most of the research has “not really explored what it means to be a man any more than what it means to be a woman.” In developing her theory, Davis utilizes a constructivist approach crossed with hermeneutic phenomenology. Her constructivist approach emphasizes both the social context in which development occurs and the importance of social interaction and negotiation (Davis, 2002). Hermeneutic phenomenology is described as a method of understanding experience from the perspective of the individual via interpretation (Davis, 2002). Davis succeeds in her approach by conducting in-depth interviews, ranging from 45-70 minutes, with ten white undergraduate males.