GENDER STEREOTYPES IN ROMANIAN SOCIETY. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY
GENDER STEREOTYPES IN ROMANIAN SOCIETY. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY

Summary/Abstract: Gender stereotypes represent an important topic approached by the specialists in the field of gender studies, due to their implication for the identity development and perception of others. Gender stereotypes origin in the social categorization, considered a necessary and adaptive component of the information processing, yet inducing a number of biases of the social perception, as prejudice and even discrimination (Tajfel, 1981). Concerning the measurement, the study of the stereotypes has been based on the assignment by the respondents of some traits seen as characteristic for the target group. Our sample consisted in 100 participants with different educational level and employment status, 50 women and 50 men, aged between 18 and 53. Based on the list of personality traits contained in Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) (Bem, 1974), in our study we tried to identify the extent at which the traits typically associated to masculinity and femininity in different cultures are considered differentially desirable for men and women by the Romanian respondents. We presented the manner in which traits were considered to be descriptive for the prototypes of the two categories presented, namely man and woman, and we discussed the implications for the measurement of masculinity and femininity in Romanian society.

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