Androgyny and the BSRI

Question 1

what is androgyny?

Answer 1

• balance of masculine and feminine traits

- bet stated a balance of the two causes better mental stability

Question 2

what is Bem’s BSRI?

Answer 2

• the 74 scale had 20 masculine, feminine and neutral traits and people rated themselves
• people classified as either masculine or feminine, androgynous or undifferentiated

Question 3

+ scale appears valid and reliable

Answer 3

scale developed by asking 50 males and 50 females to rate 200 traits, and top 20 picked

• scale piloted with our 2000 students (validity)
• follow up study gave same results (test retest reliability)

Question 4

+ Association with androgyny and good psychological wellbeing

Answer 4

• Bem emphasised that high androgyny causes good mental health
• better dealing with masculine, feminine or androgynous situations
• however sheer and Adams (85) said masculine traits more desirable in western society (cultural context)

Question 5

• oversimplifies complex concept

Answer 5

• gender identity too complex to be single score

- Golombok (94) said gender is more global concept, broader issues should also be identified