Androgyny and the BSRI

• Define androgyny

  Displaying of masculine and feminine characteristics in one's personality
• Define Bem Sex Role Inventory

  The first systematic attempt to measure androgyny using a rating scale of 60 traits (20 masculine, 20 feminine, 20 neutral) to produce scores across 2 dimensions: masculinity-femininity and androgynous-undifferentiated
• What does androgyny refer to?

  a personality type that is characterised by a balance of masculine and feminine traits, attitudes and behaviours.
• Who developed a method for measuring androgyny?

  Bem
• What does Bem suggest high androgyny is associated with?

  psychological well-being
• Why does Bem suggest high androgyny is associated with psychological well-being?

  Individuals who are both masculine and feminine in roughly equal measure are better equipped to adapt to a range of situations and contexts that other non-androgynous people would find difficult.
• What is the scale for measuring androgyny called?

  BSRI - Bem sex role inventory
• When was the BSRI created?

  1974
• What are the three categories of traits in the BSRI?

  masculine, feminine and neutral
• How many traits are there in each category?

  20
• How do respondents rate themselves?

  on a 7-point rating scale
• How are the scores classified?

  on the basis of 2 dimensions: masculinity-femininity and androgynous-undifferentiated
• How was the scale developed?

  By asking 50 male and 50 female judges to rate 200 traits in terms of how desirable they were for men and women. The highest scoring traits in each category became those used in the scale.
• How was the BSRI tested?

  piloted with over 1000 students - results broadly correlated with their own descriptions of their gender identity
• Who was the follow-up study done with?

  a smaller sample of the same students
• When did the follow up study take place?

  a month after the original study
• What were the results of the follow up study?

  revealed similar scores to original study
• How many students was the BSRI piloted with?

  over 1000
• How many judges were used in developing the BSRI?

  100 - 50 male, 50 female
• Name 4 evaluation points

  1. validity and reliability
  2. association between androgyny and psychological well-being
  3. cultural and historical bias
  4. measuring gender identity using questionaires
• Evaluate the validity and reliability

  • BSRI was developed by asking 50 male and 50 female judges to rate 200 characteristics on how desirable they are for men and women - highest scoring traits in each category became those used on the scale
  • BSRI was piloted with over 1000 students and results corresponded woth their own descriptions of their gender identity - suggests high validity
  • Follow-up study was done with a smaller sample of the same pps a month later and revealed similar scores - high test-retest reliability
• What does the pilot study suggest?

  high validity
• What does the follow-up study suggest?

  high test-retest reliability
• Evaluate the association between androgyny and psychological well-being.

  • Bem placed emphasis on the idea that androgynous individuals are more psychologically healthy as they are best placed to deal with situations that demand a masculine, feminine or androgynous response.
  • This has since been challenged - some researchers have argued that people who display a greater proportion of masculine traits are better adjusted as these are more highly valued in some societies.
  • suggests Bem's research may not have taken adequate account of the social and cultural context in which it was developed
• Evaluate the cultural and historical bias

  • developed over 40 years ago and behaviours that are 'typical' and 'acceptable' have changed since.
  • Bem's scale is made up of stereotypical ideas of masculinity and femininity that may be outdated and lacking in temporal validity.
  • The scale was devised using a panel of judges all from the US - an individualist culture. Individualist ideas of what is masculine and feminine may not be shared across all cultures and societies.
• Evaluate measuring gender identity using questionaires

  • involves self-report techniques - pps have to rate themselves of characteristics. This relies on the individual having insight into their personality and behaviour which not everyone has.
  • Respondents may also lie or exaggerate
  • However, produces qualitative data - provides rich, valid data that can be easily analysed. This means its easier to draw conclusions, making it more objective.