+Bem Sex Role Inventory
Bem (1974)
Topic: Social Identities - Ethnic and Gender Identity
Description of Measure:
The Bem Sex Role inventory measures a person’s gender identity using the binary of masculine and feminine constructs, but includes the potential for participants to identify as androgenous depending on their responses. Participants are asked to specify gender as either male or female when taking the test, which has three subscales: masculine (20 items,) feminine (20 items,) and neutral (20 items.) Scores are calculated for each subscale, revealing the level of masculinity, femininity, or androgyny (gender neutrality) in the participant.
Instructions:
Indicate how well each of the 60 masculine, feminine, neutral characteristics describes yourself.
Response Options:
Not at all desirable (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), Extremely Desirable (7)
Subscales:
- Masculinity (how masculine is your psychological profile)
- Femininity (how feminine is your psychological profile)
Items:
Masculinity Scale
- self reliant
- defends own beliefs
- independent
- athletic
- assertive
- strong personality
- forceful
- analytical
- leadership ability
- willing to take risks
- makes decisions easily
- self-sufficient
- dominant
- masculine
- willing to take a stand
- aggressive
- acts as a leader
- individualistic
- competitive
- ambitious
Femininity Scale
- yielding
- cheerful
- shy
- affectionate
- flatterable
- loyal
- feminine
- sympathetic
- sensitive to other's needs
- understanding
- compassionate
- eager to soothe hurt feelings
- soft spoken
- warm
- tender
- gullible
- childlike
- does not use harsh language
- loves children
- gentle
Neutral Scale
- helpful
- moody
- conscientious
- theatrical
- happy
- unpredictable
- reliable
- jealous
- truthful
- secretive
- sincere
- conceited
- likable
- solemn
- friendly
- inefficient
- adaptable
- unsystematic
- tactful
- conventional
Citation:
Bem, S. L. (1974). The measurement of psychological androgyny. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 42(2), 155.
Link to PDF: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.472.525&rep=rep1&type=pdf Links to an external site.