APA Dictionary of Psychology

a questionnaire listing 20 characteristics considered in American society to be more desirable for men (e.g., leadership ability, forcefulness), 20 characteristics considered more desirable for women (e.g., gentleness, affectionateness), and 20 neutral characteristics considered desirable for either sex (e.g., truthfulness, happiness). Participants indicate how well each of the 60 characteristics describes themselves using a scale ranging from 1 (never or almost never true) to 7 (always or almost always true). Responses are scored and individuals subsequently categorized as masculine (high on traits associated with masculinity and low on those associated with femininity), feminine (high on traits associated with femininity and low on those associated with masculinity), androgynous (high on both types of traits), or undifferentiated (low on both types of traits). In measuring a person’s adherence to culturally specified standards of desirable behavior for men and women (see sex role), the BSRI was intended to eschew the traditional dichotomy of masculinity and femininity in favor of a more flexible, situationally responsive conceptualization. See also masculinity–femininity test. [developed in 1974 by Sandra Lipsitz Bem (1944–2014), U.S. psychologist]