Gender: androgyny and the BSRI

Question 1

define androgyny

Answer 1

displaying a balance of masculine and feminine
characteristics in one’s personality

Question 2

what does BSRI stand for

Answer 2

Bem’s Sex Role Inventory

Question 3

explain the BSRI

Answer 3

This is a 60-part questionnaire that includes 20 “masculine”, “feminine” and “neutral” traits.
* Respondents give each trait a score of 1-7 (1 being “never true” 7
being “always” true) then divide their score from both the masculine
and feminine sets by 20.
* If both scores are above 4.9, they are described as psychologically
androgynous.

Question 4

is androgyny seen as a benefit or limitation

Answer 4

Bem argues that being psychologically androgynous is actually healthier than being
overtly masculine/feminine.

• This is because such individuals are better equipped to adapt to a range of situations. Whereas
  non-androgynous people would find it difficult as they have a narrow range of traits to draw on

Question 5

AO3: valid and reliable

Answer 5

developed using 50 male and female judges to rate 200 traits based on how desirable they were for men and women
highest scores were traits on scale
Bem did a pilot study with 1000 students and found that the scores on the questionnaire corresponded with the students’ own description of their gender identity
SHOWS HIGH VALIDITY AS FINDINGS ARE CONSISTENT
follow-up study found similar scores when students were tested a month later
has high inter-rater reliability
COUNTER:
However there are issues with the validity of measuring gender identity using questionnaires. This is because asking people to rate themselves on a questionnaire relies on an understanding of their personality and behaviour that they may not necessarily have. Gender is a hypothetical construct which is much more open to interpretation. Furthermore, the questionnaire scoring system is subjective and peoples interpretation of the meaning of each end of the 7-point scale may differ

Question 6

AO3: psychological well-being

Answer 6

Bem suggests androgynous people are more psychologically healthy
they can handle situations that require a masculine, feminine or androgynous response
counter: some suggest more masculine traits are better in western society
eg: leader and competitive vs childlike and shy
shows the research may not have considered the social and cultural context

Question 7

how is it culturally bias

Answer 7

categories made by american judges so can’t be generalised
in america dominance is seen as masculine but in other cultures its feminine eg: Papau New Guinea

Question 8

how is it historically bias

Answer 8

low temporal validity as it is based on 1970s gender norms
eg: independence would’ve been masculine but now its androgynous

Question 9

AO3: cultural bias

Answer 9

culturally bias
traits were made by american judges
not applicable to other cultures
eg: Papau New Guinea women are dominant instead of men

Question 10

AO3: historical bias

Answer 10

low temporal validity
based on 1970s gender norms
independence would’ve been seen as masculine but now its neutral
norms changed in last 40 years
shouldn’t be used to measure gender today