Gender Short Exam Questions
Using an example, define the term androgyny (3 marks).
Androgyny is when a person displays a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in their
personality. Therefore, they struggle to develop a certain gender identity. For example, the
individual may have a facial appearance that can’t clearly be identified as male or female.
This achieved 3 marks.
Outline one way of measuring androgyny (3 marks).
Androgyny can be measured using the Bem Sex Role Inventory. It presents the individual with 20
characteristics that are identified as masculine, such as competitive and aggressive, 20
characteristics that are identified as feminine, such as tender and gentle, and the 20 neutral traits.
The individual then has to rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 7.
This achieved 3 marks.
Explain two criticisms of the BRSI (Bem Sex Role Inventory) (6 marks).
Some researchers, Adams and Sherer, argue that people who score highly on masculine traits may
actually be better adjusted to traits which are values in Western society. This suggests that the BRSI
did not take into account social and cultural context. Also, the BRSI was developed more than 40
years ago where behaviours were acceptable and have now changed over time. The idea the scale
was made of may be outdated and therefore may lack temporal validity. The scale which was
devised the judges were American and their beliefs of what is masculine and feminine may not be
shared across all cultures and societies.
This achieved 5 marks.
Using an example, explain the term sex-role stereotype (3 marks).
Sex-role stereotypes are beliefs and ideas that are held by society on what’s expected for males and
females. For example, men are expected to do any physical activities such as sport or DIY, whereas
women are expected to cook and clean. These stereotypes are further reinforced by society and the
media.
This achieved 3 marks.
Distinguish between sex and gender (3 marks).
Sex is the biological difference between males and females, such as the difference in chromosomes:
males are XY but females are XX, the difference in hormones; males have testosterone and females
have oestrogen, and the differences in anatomy. Whereas, gender is the psychological and cultural
differences between males and females such as attitudes, behaviours and social roles.
This achieved 3 marks.
Describe one study that has investigated sex-role stereotypes (4 marks).
Furnham and Farragher conducted a study on TV adverts and found that men were mostly shown in
autonomous roles within professional contexts, whereas women were mostly seen in familial roles
within domestic environment. This suggests that the media play a role in reinforcing widespread
social stereotypes concerning male and female behaviour.
Using an example, define the term androgyny (3 marks).
Androgyny is when a person displays a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in their
personality. Therefore, they struggle to develop a certain gender identity. For example, the
individual may have a facial appearance that can’t clearly be identified as male or female.
This achieved 3 marks.
Outline one way of measuring androgyny (3 marks).
Androgyny can be measured using the Bem Sex Role Inventory. It presents the individual with 20
characteristics that are identified as masculine, such as competitive and aggressive, 20
characteristics that are identified as feminine, such as tender and gentle, and the 20 neutral traits.
The individual then has to rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 7.
This achieved 3 marks.
Explain two criticisms of the BRSI (Bem Sex Role Inventory) (6 marks).
Some researchers, Adams and Sherer, argue that people who score highly on masculine traits may
actually be better adjusted to traits which are values in Western society. This suggests that the BRSI
did not take into account social and cultural context. Also, the BRSI was developed more than 40
years ago where behaviours were acceptable and have now changed over time. The idea the scale
was made of may be outdated and therefore may lack temporal validity. The scale which was
devised the judges were American and their beliefs of what is masculine and feminine may not be
shared across all cultures and societies.
This achieved 5 marks.
Using an example, explain the term sex-role stereotype (3 marks).
Sex-role stereotypes are beliefs and ideas that are held by society on what’s expected for males and
females. For example, men are expected to do any physical activities such as sport or DIY, whereas
women are expected to cook and clean. These stereotypes are further reinforced by society and the
media.
This achieved 3 marks.
Distinguish between sex and gender (3 marks).
Sex is the biological difference between males and females, such as the difference in chromosomes:
males are XY but females are XX, the difference in hormones; males have testosterone and females
have oestrogen, and the differences in anatomy. Whereas, gender is the psychological and cultural
differences between males and females such as attitudes, behaviours and social roles.
This achieved 3 marks.
Describe one study that has investigated sex-role stereotypes (4 marks).
Furnham and Farragher conducted a study on TV adverts and found that men were mostly shown in
autonomous roles within professional contexts, whereas women were mostly seen in familial roles
within domestic environment. This suggests that the media play a role in reinforcing widespread
social stereotypes concerning male and female behaviour.
