Androgyny

• What is the definition of Androgyny?

  Androgyny refers to demonstrating a balance between feminine and masculine characteristics. The characteristics displayed depend on the situation, and may lead to better psychological wellbeing
• The BSRI is a questionaire consiting of 60 adjectives. Participants are asked to rate how true each one is of themselves, from 1 (never true) to 7 (always true).
• A third of the BSRI descriptions represent stereotypically masculine traits, a third stereotypically feminine traits, and the other third are considered neither.
• Based on their answers, participants are categorised as either masculine, feminine, androgynous, or undifferentiated.
• Strengths of the BSRI:

  • In a study 1000 students took the BSRI, a smaller group of the students retook the BSRI and found similar results both times. Shows that BSRI is a reliable measure of androgyny
  • Study found BSRI result closely matched students own description of their own gender. Shows BSRI has good concurrent validity
• Limitations of the BSRI:

  • BSRI may lack temporal validity as it was devised nearly 50 years ago. Attitudes about masculinity and femininity have changed.
  • BSRI may lack internal validity because participants might not give accurate answers. May respond with socially desirable answers and gender is a sensitive topic that people can feel embarrassed about