Masculinity, femininity, psychological androgyny, and the structure of values

In 2 studies, relations between (a) value priorities assessed with the Rokeach Value Survey and (b) masculinity and femininity scores assessed with both the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (Study 1) and the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire (Study 2) were investigated. Ss in Exp I were 157 parents (mean age 48.67 yrs) and 201 of their children (mean age 19.49 yrs); Ss in Exp II were 128 undergraduates. Results show that masculinity and femininity scores were significantly correlated in the expected direction, with the relative importance assigned to values that could be respectively classified as agentic/instrumental and communal/expressive. Other values not easily classified in terms of this distinction were also related to masculinity and femininity. There were no values distinctively related to psychological androgyny, conceived either in terms of an additive or a balance model, but some cross-sex-typed effects occurred. Results are discussed in relation to current ideas about the gender schema, the need to conceive of schemas as involving prescriptive and evaluative beliefs as well as descriptive beliefs, the multidimensionality of masculinity and femininity, psychological androgyny, and the relation between values and action. (50 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).