Date Approved
5-4-1999
Embargo Period
7-20-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. in School Psychology
Department
Educational Services and Leadership
College
College of Education
Advisor
Dihoff, Roberta
Subject(s)
Femininity; Masculinity; Sex differences
Disciplines
Educational Psychology
Abstract
There are many stereotypes pertaining to what is a typical male and typical female characteristic. The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in attitudes towards these characteristics between two different generations. Many theorists feel that masculine and feminine characteristics are on opposite poles of a continuous spectrum, while others feel it is possible to possess both masculine and feminine characteristics, termed androgyny. The Bem Sex Role Inventory, the measure utilized in the present study, was developed to measure masculine and feminine characteristics, as well as the concept of androgyny (Bem, 1974).
The sample in this study consisted of 90 participants. Each subject completed the BSRI. This is a 60 item self-report measure. Subjects indicated how well the personality characteristics described themselves. Findings were there were no significant differences found between generations in their responses to the BSRI. However, there was a significant difference between males and females in each generation. There was no interaction effect between generation and gender regarding responses to the BSRI. In conclusion, typical male and female characteristics were endorsed by the subjects of this study. Consistent with previous literature, significant differences were found between male and female responses to the BSRI.
Recommended Citation
Cirineo, Tricia M., "Generational and gender differences in response to traditional male and female personality characteristics" (1999). Theses and Dissertations. 1779.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/1779
