On Quantifying the Magnitude of Sex-Role Endorsement

Abstract

The conception of sex-role attributes as multidimensional has led to the development of the median split and various difference score approaches for assigning individuals to sex-role categories. In response to the criticisms of information loss and imprecision when applying such methods, this report presents a data manipulation (medz) which combines the masculine and feminine scales in an additive rather than subtractive manner, upholds the continuous nature of the variables, and utilizes the median split for categorization. Comparisons of this techniquewith the t ratio, difference/ median split, and direct difference approaches indicate greater differentiation among androgynous subjects when assessed according to the medz. An application of the process and some rationale for its implementation are provided. © 1982, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.