The graphs show a normalised range around the mean in which 80% of a population can be expected to lie. A higher percentage would simply extend the range but not alter the mid-point. The tabulated data in Rosser gave only the mid-points whereas I was also interested in how wide the range could be and calculated these from Rosser's means, standard deviations and sample sizes using standard t-distribution critical values.

Explanation of the graphs

The top graph shows that the gay men from the study group have lower levels of anxiety, depression, hostility, inertia and confusion than the US college norm for men. They also show the gay group to have lower levels of vigour.

The lower graph shows that on average women are more anxious, depressed and confused but have lower levels of hostility. Levels of vigour and inertia are about the same.

Combining the two shows gay men as also having lower levels of anxiety, depression hostility, vigour, and confusion than the female average.

Rosser has speculated that the lower vigour level indicate that gay men have lower expectations than the average male of being 'rewarded' for effort or achievement and consequently scale back their input accordingly; in his opinion this reflected that gay men were 'more aware and more realistic' than straight men.

Personality Adjective Check List (ACL)

Gay men show similar profiles to the male norm with the noted exceptions of lower dominance, endurance (corresponds to vigour in the POMS), aggression, self-confidence, ideal self (how highly they regard themselves) and military-style leadership but higher affiliation (ability to work as a team), abasement and femininity.

Rosser has interpreted the results as indicating gay men have a higher need to participate and to be accepted and that they exhibit higher ability at doing this but that they are overall less successful or central in social interactions. He has attributed this to social alienation and stigmatisation and these differences would fall in a more accepting society or corporation.

Gay men are equally masculine but also exhibit higher levels of femininity. This may be because gay men are less concerned about notions of gender than straight males and more self-confident in behaving 'sensitively' or unaggressively when they feel so inclined, rather than repressing the feelings.

Interestingly, gay men also showed higher levels of heterosexuality - defined in this test as attraction to and ability to sustain close relationships with women. Rosser observed that this was not testing sexuality but companionship. I tend to agree, many gay men are able to have close female friends because the sexual tension is missing .