Androgyny and The Bem Sex Role Inventory
Paper 3 Issues and Options in Psychology
Androgyny
Displaying a balance of similarly high levels of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality
Measuring Androgyny – Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)
- In the early 1970’s the view that individuals were either exclusively masculine or feminine was being challenged.
- Dr Sandra Bem developed the androgynous hypothesis, which saw androgyny as a positive and desirable condition, as part of this hypothesis she developed the BSRI
BSRI
Self-report method consisting of 60 items rated on a 7-point scale,
– 20 items were stereotypically masculine; acts as a leader, aggressive, dominant
– 20 were stereotypically feminine; affectionate, gentle, warm
– 20 were gender-neutral filler items; adaptable, happy, helpful
Respondents rated themselves on each characteristic (1 = ‘never true of me’, 7 = ‘always true of me’).
Scores were then calculated, see results below
High masculine & low feminine = Masculine High feminine & low masculine = Feminine
High masculine & high feminine = Androgynous Low feminine & low masculine = Undifferentiated
AO3: Measuring Androgyny – evaluation
Point:
The BSRI has good test-retest reliability.
Evidence: For example, it produces consistent results when used on different occasions with the same participants
Elaboration: This is a strength because it demonstrates that the BSRI is an effective and reliable way of assessing levels of androgyny, masculinity and femininity.
Point:
It is suggested that the BSRI feeds a very reductionist view of gender identity.
Evidence: For example, Golombok & Fivush have claimed that gender identity is a much more global concept than suggested by the BSRI, and further suggest that in order to understand gender identity more fully, broader issues, such as the person’s interests and perception of abilities should be considered.
Elaboration: This is a weakness because it suggests that the BSRI does not provide an accurate depiction of an individual’s level of androgyny, which brings into the questions the validity of using this type of measuring system to learn more about an individual’s gender identity.
Point:
A limitation of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) is that it relies on a self-report questionnaire, which means the results may be affected by social desirability bias.
Evidence: Participants may respond in ways they believe are socially acceptable rather than giving honest answers about their personality traits. For example, individuals may be reluctant to endorse characteristics that are stereotypically associated with the opposite sex.
Elaboration: This reduces the validity of the findings because the scores may not accurately reflect a person’s true level of masculinity, femininity, or androgyny.