Bem Sex-Role Inventory Stereotypes for Men and Women Varying in Age and Race among National Register Psychologists
554 psychologists listed in the National Register of Health Care Providers in Psychology used the Bern Sex-role Inventory to rate a “mature, healthy, socially competent” individual in one of 18 target groups (a black or race-unspecified man, woman, or adult in their late 20s, late 40s, or late 60s). Factor analysis produced factors which generated three scales—nurturant, agentic, and self-governing. The attributes “feminine” and “masculine” were treated as individual items. Old targets were viewed as less agentic than younger targets and as less self-governing than the middle-aged. Female targets were perceived as more feminine and less masculine than were men. Interactions for agentic and self-governing suggest age and race and sex of target influence person perceptions.