Gender Identity Attitudes and Self-Esteem as a Function of Gender Classification
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Authors
Cooper, Tionna M.
Horton, Jessica A.
Smith, Abigail J.
Issue Date
2020
Type
Presentation
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Within the past decade, society has begun to develop a rapidly progressive and open mindset toward gender identity and even how the word gender is defined. Past research has shown sex differences in gender identity attitudes and self-esteem; specifically, females hold more positive attitudes toward gender identity but report lower self-esteem. The current study evaluated how females gender classification might further qualify these findings. The data was collected through means of an anonymous online survey (Qualtrics), comprised of the Gender Identity Attitudes Scale (GIAS) and two counterbalanced scales: The Self-Esteem Scale (SES) and the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). Gender classifications were made based on median split on masculinity and femininity scales on the PAQ. Results indicated that masculinity and androgyny classifications reported higher self-esteem scores compared to feminine and undifferentiated classifications. No classification differences were found on the GIAS. These results might reflect changing socialization practices wherein females are encouraged to diverge from traditional feminine roles and interests. Concurrently, women in popular culture today tend to display more dynamic masculine or androgynous traits than what might be considered more traditionally feminine. Future research could investigate whether this pattern of results would occur with male participants.