Androgyny

Question 1

Androgyny

Answer 1

Individuals who display equal levels of masculine and feminine traits/characteristics

Question 2

Bem’s sex role inventory

Answer 2

• The first systematic attempt to measure androgyny using a rating scale (1-7) of 60 traits (20 male, 20 female, 20 neutral)
• Found more people were androgynous
• Masculinity and femininity are independent traits - they aren’t linked to sex or sexuality

Question 3

Androgyny - evaluation - strength

Answer 3

• BSRI was reliable
• Used test-retest reliability - over 1000 students - their results corresponded with the p’s own description of their gender identity - the study was reconducted with the same students and the scores were similar
• Gives us reason to believe the test was reliable

Question 4

Androgyny - evaluation - limitation

Answer 4

• Outdated
• Developed over 40 years ago
• Scale is made up of stereotypical ideas that may be outdated today
• Scale was also created using people from the USA - ideas of masculinity and femininity may not be shared across all cultures and societies
• Suggests BSRI lacks temporal validity and generalisability and isn’t a suitable measure of gender identity today