Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the nature and type of conceptions of femaleness and maleness that would be generated by blacks and whites in an open-ended questionnaire. Five hundred respondents from 13 vocational schools, community colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities generated 718 conceptions, which were then rated on degree of maleness and femaleness and social desirability by a sample of 297 respondents from that same population. Results indicated that females and males (races combined) and blacks and whites (genders combined) differed significantly in their male-female conceptions scores. Descriptions of the types of conceptions most frequently generated by the respondents are presented and discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beal, F. Double jeopardy: To be black and female. In F. Hogeland (Ed.), Women and womanhood in America. Lexington: D. C. Health, 1973.
Bem, S. The measurement of psychological androgyny. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1974, 42, 155–162.
Bem, S. Gender schema theory. Psychological Review, 1981, 88(4), 354–364.
Berzins, J., Welling, M., & Wetter, R. A new measure of psychological androgyny based on the Personality Research Form. Journal of Social Issues, 1972, 28, 59–78.
Bieliauskas, V. Psychological aspects of masculinity — femininity. Paper presented at the Catholic International Congress of Medical Psychology, Toulouse, France, July 1963. (Available from the author, Department of Psychology, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio 45217.)
Broverman, I., Vogel, D., Broverman, D., Clarkson, C., & Rosenkrantz, P. Sex role stereotypes: A current appraisal. Journal of Social Issues, 1972, 28, 59–78.
Coffman, R., & Levy, B. The dimensions implicit in psychological masculinity — femininity. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1972, 32, 975–985.
Deutsch, C., & Gilbert, L. Sex role stereotypes: Effect on perceptions of self and others and on personal adjustment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1976, 23, 373–379.
Freud, S. Female sexuality. Collected papers, Vol. V. London: Hogarth, 1950.
Gilbert, L., Deutsch, C., & Strahan, R. Feminine and masculine dimensions of the typical, desirable, and ideal woman and man. Sex Roles, 1978, 4, 767–778.
Hyde, S. H., & Rosenberg, B. G. Half the human experience: The psychology of women. Boston: Heath, 1976.
Kagan, J. Acquisition and significance of sex-typing and sex-role identity. In M. Hoffman and L. Hoffman (Eds.), Review of child development research, 1964, 1, 137–167.
Maccoby, E. The development of sex differences. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1966.
Mason, K., & Czajka, I. Change in U.S. women's sex role attitudes, 1964–74. American Sociological Review, 1976, 41, 573–596.
Mednick, M., & Weissman, H. The psychology of women: Selected topics. Annual Review of Psychology, 1975, 1–8.
Melton, W., & Thomas, D. Instrumental and expressive values in mate selection of black and white college students. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 1976, 38, 509–517.
Murray, S. R. The black female's role: Behavioral implications. Paper presented at the 86th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, September 1978.
Neufield, E., Langmeyer, D., & Seeman, W. Some sex-role stereotypes and personal preferences, 1970 and 1970. Journal of Personality Assessment, 1974, 38, 247–254.
Nicol, T., & Bryson, J. Intersex and intrasex stereotyping on the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Paper presented at the 85th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, August 1977.
O'Leary, V. Toward understanding women. Monterey: Brooks/Cole, 1977.
O'Leary, V., & Harrison, A. Sex role stereotypes as a function of race and sex. Paper presented at the 83rd Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, August 1975.
Orlofsky, J. L. Relationship between sex role attitudes and personality traits. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1981, 40(5), 927–940.
Reid, P. Black matriarchy: Young and old. Paper presented at the 86th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, September 1978.
Rosenkrantz, P., Vogel, S., Bee, H., Broverman, I., & Broverman, D. Sex role stereotypes and self concepts in college students. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1968, 32, 287–295.
Scanzoni, J. Sex roles, economic factors and marital solidarity in black and white marriages. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 1975, 37, 130–144.
Sheriffs, A. C., & McKee, J. Qualitative aspects of beliefs about men and women. Journal of Personality, 1957, 25, 451–464.
Smith, L., & Milham, J. Sex role stereotypes among blacks and whites. Journal of Black Psychology, 1979, 6, 1–6.
Spence, J., Helmreich, R., & Stapp, J. Personal Attributes Questionnaire: A measure of sex role stereotypes and M-F. JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 1974, 4, 43 (ms. No. 617).
Staples, R. The myth of the impotent black male. In D. Wilkinson & D. Taylor (Eds.), The black male in America. Chicago: Nelson Hall, 1977.
Staples, R. Masculinity and race: The dual dilemma of black men. Journal of Social Issues, 1978, 34, 169–181.
Steinman, A., Levi, J., & Fox, D. Self concept of college women. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1964, 11, 370–374.
Turner, B., & Turner, C. The political implications of social stereotyping of women and men among black and white college students. Sociology and Social Research, 1974, 58, 155–162.
Unger, R. Female and male: Psychological perspectives. New York: Harper & Row, 1979, Chap. 15.
Worell, J. Sex roles and psychological well-being. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1978, 46, 777–791.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, P.A., Midlarsky, E. Empirically derived conceptions of femaleness and maleness: A current view. Sex Roles 12, 313–328 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287598
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00287598