Androgyny Flashcards
(4 cards)
What is a strength of Bems sex role inventory?
Quantitative approach
-Bems method uses quantitative methods meaning the findings can be easily analysed to find cause and effect, increasing the internal validity of the method.
Spence argues that quantitaive methods should also be added to gain deeper understanding of gender so added dimensions of instrumentality-expressivity in the PAQ.
-Shows Bems method of measuring androgyny has usefulness alone as well as when paired with qualitative mthods when attempting to understand gender
What is another strength of the BSRI
It uses valid and reliable methods
-Bem devised her questions from asking 50 men and 50 women to chose which traits out of 200 aligned the most with masculine and feminine, the top 20 were chosen to be in BSRI. Also conducted a pilot study on 1000 students and found that their levels corresponded with their own beliefs about their gender identity, follow up study showed similar results. Demonstrating reliability as well as validity of method of data gathering
What is a limitation of the BSRI??
It may be outdated.
BSRI was devised 40 years ago and so the notions/ characteristics of femininity and masculinity may have changed over time. Also carried out in USA so characteristics amy be different in other countries lack temporal validity and may not be a good measure in contemporary society
What is another limitation of Bems methods
It relies on the individuals self awareness of their own personality which may not be accurate. 7 point scale is also subjective as well as the fact individuals may lie due to social desireability bias.
