ERIC Number: ED255795
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1983-Mar
Pages: 26
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Sex Role Orientation and Adjustment: Comparisons of Four Models.
Tobacyk, Jerome; And Others
Four major formulations of the relationship between sex role orientation and successful adaptation have found support in the literature: a traditional sex role, androgyny, masculinity, and androgyny for females. The adaptive implications of sex role orientation were examined on constructs reflecting intrapersonal functioning, i.e., ego identity achievement, mood, actual-ideal self-concept congruence, and cognitive complexity. Male (N=92) and female (N=94) college students completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Ego Identity Achievement Scale, a form of the Rep Grid, and a mood self-report item. To test among the four formulations and to allow a more precise comparison of the effects of gender and sex role on the adaptation measures, six groups were formed: masculine males, androgynous males, feminine males, masculine females, androgynous females, and feminine females. Although the masculine male group showed the most effective functioning on the adaptation measures, the feminine female group showed the least effective functioning, indicating lack of support for the traditional formulation of sex typing for both genders. The formulation that psychological androgyny is most adaptive for both genders was not supported, since the androgynous male group consistently showed the least effective functioning on all adaptation measures. The formulation of a gender by sex role interaction in adaptation, with an advantage of androgyny for females was not supported since the female androgynous and female masculine groups performed equally efficiently. The formulation that level of masculinity is the most important determinant of adaptation for both genders was provided considerable support. (NRB)
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Researchers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A