Androgyny

Question 1

Androgyny

Answer 1

Personality type that is a balance of masculine and feminine traits

Question 2

Bem sex role inventory

Answer 2

20 masc, 20 fem, 20 neutral traits
People rate themselves from 1-7 for each trait
High masc low fem = masc
High fem low masc = fem
High masc high fem = androgynous
Low fem low masc = undifferentiated

Question 3

Bem sex role inventory evaluation

Answer 3

Valid- Used over 1000 students, results corresponded with own description of gender identity

Reliable- follow up study of same students months later found similar scores

Androgyny and well-being- Bem emphasised androgynous people better well being as can deal with situations that need masc or fem traits. However, some argue that more masculine traits better suited to Wester culture as they’re more highly valued

Oversimplifies complex concept- gender identity too complex to be reduced to a score, suggest that to understand gender must consider persons interests and perception of their abilities

Cultural and historical bias- views of gendered behaviours have changed, lacks temporal validity, scale was made by people from US