androgyny and the BSRI

Question 1

androgyny

Answer 1

displaying a balance of both masculine and feminine characteristics

Question 2

Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)

Answer 2

systematic attempt to measure androgyny using masculine, feminine and neutral characteristics

Question 3

how the BSRI was used

Answer 3

20 masculine, feminine and neutral traits
respondents required to rate themselves on a scale of 7 for each characteristic
scores are classified on 2 dimensions (masc-fem), (androgynous, undifferentiated)

Question 4

evaluation: scale appears to be valid and reliable

Answer 4

• developed by asking 50 male and 50 female judges to rate 200 traits in terms of how desirable they were
• piloted with over 1000 students and the results corresponded with their own description of their gender identity

Question 5

evaluation: association between androgyny and psychological wellbeing

Answer 5

• Bem placed great emphasis on the fact that androgynous individuals are the most psychologically healthy as they’re best able to deal with all situations
• this has been challenged as some researchers argue that masculine traits are better adjusted as they are more highly valued in some societies
• suggests that Bem’s research doesn’t take into account social and cultural context

Question 6

evaluation: oversimplifies a complex concept

Answer 6

• suggested that gender identity is too complex to be simplified to a single score
• PAQ was developed which measures through instrumentality and expressivity
• broader issues should be considered such as the person’s interests and perception of their own abilities