Bem (1974) Flashcards
When did Bems study take place?
1974
What was Bems study about?
Prior to the 1970s masculinity and femininity were seen as mutually exclusive.
Sandra bem challenged the idea that psychological health was dependent on behaving according to society’s expectations for your gender. She proposed the idea of psychological androgyny - both masculine and feminine characteristics
What could an advantage of androgyny be?
Greater behavioural and psychological flexibility
What did Bem create?
Bem sex-role inventory (BSRI)
What is the Bem sex role inventory?
In order to research androgyny they needed a way to measure it
There were two separate scales ( masculinity and femininity )
Androgyny was equal to the difference between the two scores
What traits was the BSR I based on?
It was based on traits perceived as desirable for each gender and there was an additional neutral scale to measure social desirability
Was the BSR I reliable?
They tested 60 participants twice four weeks apart and they were highly correlated
What were the results of the BSRI?
35% of men measured as androgynous and 29% of females.
What new research avenues did the BSR I open up?
It challenged the idea that women should be feminine and men should be masculine and opened up androgyny as a new research area
What are criticisms of the BS RI?
Participants may have just chosen positive traits and it seems like Androgyny is better just because people have more positive trait
For applications were there after BSR I?
Explaining gender differences
Can we used to stay at improve outcomes for people
Increased acceptance
Acknowledgement of gender inequality and stem
