Identidad de género en contextoun estudio empírico

Abstract

Traditionally, research in the area of gender identity has focused on the general differences derived from subjects' classification as a function of feminine-expressive and/or masculine-instrumental attributes. However, so far the study of the variability of these attributes across situations has not been a particular matter of concern. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between gender identity and context. A 2 (context: work-couple) x 2 (gender: female-male) x 2 (real condition-ideal condition) design was applied, treating condition as a repeated measure variable. Subjects were asked to describe their behaviour in each context and condition, using the traits of the Bem Sex Role Inventory. In the factorial analyses, instrumentality and expressiveness emerged as two clearly distinct dimensions. In addition, it was found an interaction effect between gender, context, and condition variables. While men showed high instrumental scores in the work condition and low scores in the couple condition, in the real condition the opposite case was observed for women. In the ideal condition, there was a change of this tendency for women, the pattern between the sexes being more similar. We also found an interaction effect between context and condition, but no interaction between gender and condition. To conclude, bearing in mind the obtained results, we make some theoretical and practical suggestions.