The enigma of androgyny: Differential implications for males and females?

Abstract

A program of studies (N = 1,404) tested the hypothesis that psychological androgyny (i.e., a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics) permits greater behavioral flexibility and consequently leads to better adjustment. A variety of methods were used to compare androgynous with sex-typed and opposite sex-typed individuals along several attitudinal, personality, and behavioral dimensions. Contrary to expectation a pattern of findings replicated across measures of attitudes toward women's issues, gender identification, neurosis, introversion-extraversion, locus of control, self-esteem, problems with alcohol, creativity, political awareness, confidence in one's own ability, helplessness, and sexual maturity indicated that flexibility and adjustment were generally associated with masculinity rather than androgyny for both males and females. A subsequent experiment further revealed that feminine subjects, independent of gender, would prefer to become more masculine were that possible. These results are interpreted as suggesting an alternative to Bern's theory of androgyny. Additional analyses indicated few differences between the additive and the original definitions of androgyny.

The effects of sex-role attitudes and group composition on men and women in groups

“…Bem and others (Bem, 1975;Bem & Lenney, 1976;Bem et al, 1976;Burchardt & Serbin, 1982;Harrington & Andersen, 1981) have found that androgynous individuals exhibit superior personality adjustment, greater adaptability, and more behavioral flexibility, although other researchers have argued that the presence of masculine traits rather than androgyny is associated with greater flexibility or psychological health (Jones et al, 1978;Taylor & Hall, 1982). Some of the findings in the present study point to the success and flexibility of our androgynous subjects.…”

Sex roles and type a behavior

“…Kelly & Worell, 1977) as opposed to simply the presence of masculine traits (Jones, Chernovetz, & Hansson, 1978). While this controversy has yet to be resolved with regard to psychological health, the present results seem to indicate that, at least from the standpoint of potential physical consequences, strong identification with masculine traits without the moderating influence of feminine traits may be dysfunctional.…”

Desirable and undesirable androgyny: a prescription for the twenty-first century

“…Higher masculinity in women was associated with flexibility and individualism and androgynous men were more rigid and conforming in Anderson's (1986) study. Again, flexibility and adjustment were found to be associated with masculinity rather than with androgyny (Jones et al, 1978). Masculinity correlated highest with self-esteem for both sexes in studies by Antill andCunningham (1979, 1980).…”