Discuss the Bem Sex Role inventory PDF

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Discuss the Bem Sex Role inventory. Refer to evidence in your answer (16 marks)

Androgyny refers to the display of a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics, traits and attitudes in one’s personality. For example, this can involve a man or woman who is competitive and aggressive at work, but a caring and sensitive parent. Sandra Bem developed a method for measuring androgyny and suggested that 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. An overrepresentation of opposite characteristics does not qualify as androgyny – a female who is very masculine and a male that is very feminine will not qualify as androgyny – there has to be a necessary balance.

Bem’s 1974 scale presents 20 characteristics that would be commonly identified as ‘masculine’ (e.g. aggressiveness) or ‘feminine’ (tenderness, gentle). A further 20 ‘neutral’ traits are included in the scale. Participants are required to rate themselves on a seven-point rating scale for each item – scores are then classified on the basis of masculinity-femininity and androgynous-undifferentiated.

Score

Classification

High masculine, low feminine

Masculine

High feminine, low masculine

Feminine

High masculine, high feminine

Androgynous

Low feminine, low masculine

Undifferentiated

Example/Masculine – Aggressive, independent, dominant, forceful, self-reliant.

Feminine – Affectionate, loyal, feminine, warm, yielding, gentle.

Neutral items – adaptable, jealous, helpful, happy, truthful, reliable.

EVALUATION

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 more open to interpretation than sex, for example, a biological fact. Furthermore, the questionnaire’s scoring system is subjective and people’s interpretation of the meaning of each end of the 7-point scale may differ.

Within her research, Bem placed great 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 assumption has since been challenged. Some researchers have argued that people who display a greater proportion of masculine traits are more highly valued in Western society (Adams and Sheer) This suggests that Bem’s research may not have taken adequate account of the social and cultural context in which it was developed.

POSSIBLE EVALUATION POINTS

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Origins and validity of the BSRI – scientifically established relevant traits using a large sample and has test-retest reliability.

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BSRI score is an oversimplification – other aspects of life need consideration e.g. work role, abilities.

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Being androgynous is not necessarily always positive – a person high in androgyny might possess negative traits e.g. be excessively competitive.

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Social changes e.g. in typically male and female roles may mean the BSRI is outdated.

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Practical applications e.g. awareness of gender stereotyping....