Factorial Validity of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory

Abstract

A factor analysis of responses from 44 white female teachers to the 40-item Bern Sex-role Inventory yielded two factors, Masculinity and Femininity accounting for 20.7 and 16.2%, respectively, of the common variance. Of the 40 items 28 performed as hypothesized, suggesting sound construct validity for the total scales. 12 adjectives and phrases (gullible, flatterable, athletic, and ambitious, among others) were not perceived as associated with masculine or feminine roles, suggesting that perceptions of traditional sex roles are changing.