Date of Award
1994
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship of parent identification and perception of parent sex-role to subjects' sex-role orientation. One hundred male and 100 female subjects were administered two Bem Sex-Role Inventories (BSRI), rating themselves on the first and their same-sex parent on the second. Subjects also completed two Semantic Differential Questionnaires, one for the self and one for the same-sex parent, as a measure of identification. Fifty-five female and 50 male subjects characterized themselves and their same-sex parent as "Traditional" or "Androgynous" using the BSRI, and were retained as the final sample. Subjects were divided into four groups based on their responses (by gender and by high or low level of identification). The relationship between subjects ratings of their own sex-role and their perception of their parent's sex-role was then assessed (within gender and level of identification), using separate Chi-Square Tests of Independence, alpha =.05. For both males and females, high-level identification was associated with greater similarity between self and perceived parental sex-role (chi-square = 6.53, p. $<$.02 for males, chi-square = 7.45, p. $<$.01 for females). In low-level identification groups, there was no relationship between self and perceived parental sex-role (chi-square =.316, p. $>$.05 for males, chi-square =.521, p. $>$.05 for females). When identification groups were combined, similarity continued to exist between self and perceived parental sex-role (chi-square = 5.18, p. $<$.05 for males, chi-square = 10.79, p. $<$.01 for females).
Results of the high vs. low identification group comparisons were interpreted as supportive of the author's contention that identification and perception of parent sex-role do indeed differentially effect sex-role orientations of subjects. Results of the combined identification group comparisons were interpreted as supportive of the salience of the perception of parent variable. Finally, results were examined in light of the major theories of sex-role development.Recommended Citation
Turner, Robert L., "The Relationship Of Parent Identification And Perception Of Parent'S Sex-Role To Sex Role Orientation" (1994). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 916.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/916