Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI)

The Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) is a psychological assessment tool developed by Sandra Bem in 1974 to measure an individual’s gender role identity. It is designed to determine a person’s level of masculinity and femininity according to societal expectations and norms.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the BSRI is to assess an individual’s gender role orientation based on psychological characteristics and behaviors. It aims to capture how individuals perceive themselves in terms of gender stereotypes and social roles attributed to masculinity and femininity.

Measurement

The BSRI consists of a questionnaire with 60 items that assess various personality traits, attitudes, and preferences commonly associated with either masculinity or femininity. Participants rate themselves on a Likert scale for each item, indicating the extent to which they feel a particular characteristic applies to them.

Items

The 60 items in the BSRI are divided into three categories:

1. Masculinity: The traits and behaviors that are traditionally associated with males in society, such as being assertive, competitive, and rational.
2. Femininity: The traits and behaviors that are traditionally associated with females in society, such as being nurturing, emotional, and sensitive.
3. Androgyny: The combination of both masculine and feminine traits, indicating individuals who possess qualities typically attributed to both genders or reject traditional gender role expectations.

Scoring and Interpretation

After completing the BSRI, individuals are assigned scores for masculinity, femininity, and androgyny. The scores are calculated based on the responses provided on the questionnaire and are used to determine a person’s gender role orientation.

Individuals who score high on masculinity and low on femininity are classified as having a masculine gender role orientation. Conversely, those who score high on femininity and low on masculinity are classified as having a feminine gender role orientation. Those with high scores on both masculinity and femininity or moderate scores on both traits are classified as having an androgynous gender role orientation.

Limitations

While the BSRI has been widely used and its validity is generally recognized, it is important to acknowledge that it is based on societal norms and expectations of gender roles and may not reflect the full complexity of individuals’ gender identities.

Additionally, the BSRI is based on self-reporting, which can be subject to biases and limitations. Individuals may not always provide accurate or truthful responses, consciously or unconsciously, influencing the reliability and validity of the results.

Furthermore, the BSRI has cultural and historical limitations, as societal views on gender roles have evolved over time and vary across cultures. The inventory may not fully capture the diversity of gender identities and expressions.

Despite these limitations, the BSRI has proved valuable in understanding gender role orientation and its implications for individuals’ self-perception and behavior in relation to societal expectations.