Measuring Androgyny in Adulthood

Abstract

A critique is presented of trends in sex differences studies over the past few years. Such studies have failed to study possible integration of sex role identity as a developmental process, and have often neglected self-definitions in favor of stereotypes. A new approach for measuring androgynous competencies is suggested which utilizes Bakan's (1966) concepts of agency and communion. Adult women high on both agentic and communion competencies seem to have many advantages over those who are low on both competencies or who are competent in only one area.