androgyny

Question 1

androgyny

Answer 1

• displaying a balance of masculine & feminine characteristics in one’s personality
• usually used to describe someone who can’t be identified as male or female
• associated with good psychological wellbeing according to Bem
• due to that they’re better equipped to deal with range of situations as they have variety of traits

Question 2

Bem’s Sex Role Inventory (1974)

Answer 2

• 1st systematic attempt to measure androgyny through a rating scale of 60 traits to make scores across 2 dimensions (masculine-femininity & androgynous-undifferentiated)
• split into 3 parts ( 20 characteristics each considered either feminine, masculine & neutral)
• respondents rate themselves using a 7 point scale for each

Question 3

traits considered masculine

Answer 3

• leadership
• aggressive
• athletic

Question 4

traits considered feminine

Answer 4

• affectionate
• cheerful
• childlike

Question 5

traits considered neutral

Answer 5

• adaptable
• conventional
• helpful

Question 6

AO3: validity (s)

Answer 6

• developed by asking 50 males & females judges to rate 200 traits in terms of how desirable they were for men & women
• traits that scored highest on each category became the 20 masculine & feminine traits
• piloted on over 1000 student & results corresponded with ppts description gender identity
• suggests it has a high internal validity

Question 7

AO3: reliability (S)

Answer 7

• follow-up study involving smaller sample showed similar scores when tested a month later
• suggesting it has high test-retest reliability

Question 8

AO3: use of questionnaires (w)

Answer 8

• ppts not understanding questions
• ppts lying
• social desirability bias

Question 9

AO3: androgyny & well-being (w)

Answer 9

• suggested by Bem that those that are androgynous are psychologically more healthy
• others suggest that those who have more masculine traits are better adjusted to a western society rather than a collectivist society which may favour more feminine traits
• research hasn’t considered social & cultural context it was developed in

Question 10

AO3: quantitative approach (w)

Answer 10

• research is easily analysable but gender identity is more complex to be reduced to a score
• alternates have been developed
• Personal Attribute Questionaire replaces masculinity-femininity dimension with instrumentality & expressivity
• has been suggested to add to BSRI
• suggesting a quantitative & qualitative approach should be used

Question 11

AO3: cultural & historical bias (w)

Answer 11

• developed 40+ years ago & behaviour considered ‘typical’ & acceptable have changed ( more working mums & stay at home dads)
• traits that are stereotypical of ideas of masculinity & feminity may be outdated & lacking in temporal validity
• panel of judges were American ( traits may not be shared across cultures)
  
  • those who have more masculine traits are better adjusted to a western society rather than a collectivist society which may favour more feminine traits