Alcohol studies, like most psychological studies, have traditionally focused on males. Several psychosocial theories have been used to explain male alcoholism, including dependency, the power drive, and sex role theory. This latter stance may provide a theoretical framework for the etiology of drinking which will apply to both sexes; however,…

TO UNDERSTAND STEREOTYPIC ITEMS IN MASCULINITY-FEMININITY (MF) SCALES (ITEMS THOUGHT TO DISCRIMINATE THE SEXES BUT SHOWING NO SEX DIFFERENCE), THE EDWARDS PERSONALITY INVENTORY (EPI) WAS ADMINISTERED TO 398 SUBJECTS UNDER MALE AND FEMALE INSTRUCTIONAL SETS. THESE INSTRUCTIONS CREATED SEX DIFFERENCES IN 13 OF 14 EPI SCALES, PRODUCING ON FIVE…

The relationship between movement, masculinity, and femininity is examined. Two connections are seen between movement and gender: movement as an expression of personality and movement as a medium for expressing personality. A survey of the literature is presented discussing society's concept of accepted sex role behavior. A study is reported in…

Examines achievement behavior of women in relation to their masculinity-femininity of self-concept and the mediating effects of the situation. While feminine women did not perform more poorly when competing against lower ability males than against lower ability females, very feminine women were more ambivalent about competing successfully than…

Examination of self-descriptions of 1,623 undergraduates (collectedd in 1958-64, 1970-74, and 1977-82) failed to support the prevailing assumption that masculinity and femininity develop independently. Rather, a positive relation was found between the presence of masculine and feminine traits within the same individual even when gender and state…

This study investigated the dimensions of sex role orientation measured by the revised Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI; S. Bem, 1974) and the revised Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ; J. Spence, R. Helmreich, and J. Strapp, 1975). Participants were 651 undergraduates in introductory psychology courses. The sample was approximately 50% male and…

Research on sex role concepts among young children found that: 1) the overlap children saw between male and female characteristics increased with age; 2) girls were less sex-typed than boys; 3) the realization that sex remains constant was associated with decreased sex typing; and 4) adults were seen in less sex-typed terms than peers. (Author/MJL)

Four groups of women differing in psychological masculinity and femininity as measured by the Personal Attributes Questionnaire, participated in two laboratory situations designed to measure their typical and maximal dominance expression. (Author/MP)

The present study addressed the question of whether persons' implicit personality theories include the notion that the possession of masculine and feminine characteristics tend to preclude each other so that the two clusters of attributes are perceived to be negatively correlated. The results confirm the hypothesis. (Author)

Outlines the author's research and interest in the life and sexuality of Clyde Fitch, a successful yet historically obscure American playwright and sometime lover of Oscar Wilde. Explains that Fitch whets the author's hunger for more knowledge because of what he revealed about the reigning feminine ideal that he helped codify and that the author…

Uses ethnographic data to examine the identity work of eight girls identified as having special education needs in a mainstream school, exploring how they positioned themselves in relation to the term "special needs." Findings suggest that historical meanings associated with femininity and disability combine with contemporary schooling…

In the first of two studies, the number of feminine women and androgynous men in the oldest age category was found to increase. This suggests that each gender may become more feminine with age. In the second study, a majority of people remained in the same gender-role category over a 10-year period. (BC)

Investigated the portrayal of gender characteristics in elementary school textbooks, particularly masculine and feminine stereotypes, examining first, third, and fifth grade literature textbooks using an evaluative instrument based on the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Despite publisher's guidelines and Title IX, males are still portrayed primarily in a…

Three contexts that make up girls' sexual health are explored: (1) Individual aspects are investigated using the Sexual Self-Concept Scale; (2) Relational aspects are evaluated using two sets of items created for this study; (3) The sociocultural context of sexual health is described. Working within an ecological model, this research is anchored…

While recent research has examined some qualities that are related to marital adjustment, none has examined personal development variables that might be expected to significantly relate to marital adjustment and to gender-role self-concept. A study was conducted to examine relationships among gender-role self-concepts, personal development, and…