PSYCHOLOGICAL
ANDROGYNY
By Sufia Irshad 13D

Introduction
• Psychological androgyny refers to the
coexistence of both masculine and
feminine characteristics in an
individual
• A much more extreme and distressing
state is gender dysphoria, where
the individual feels trapped in the
wrong-sex body.

Explaining Androgyny
The state of androgyny flourished in the
1970’s and 1980’s because during this
period, there were dramatic developments
in gender equality between men and
women and there was the advancement of
gay rights.
 The Androgynous hypothesis (Bem 1975)
claims that androgynous individuals were
psychologically healthier than sex typed
individuals such as masculine men and
feminine women.

Explaining Androgyny
Olds (1981) argued that androgyny is a
developmental stage reached by some people.
According to developmental theories, some individuals are
able to develop and move beyond acceptance of
traditional sex roles.
Bem argued that it was a healthier state because the
individual does not see the world in terms of gender
stereotypes

Behavioural models
These describe androgyny as a form of behaviour
demonstrated by what people do rather than what they
think.
So an androgynous individual gains a wide range of skills
associated with both masculine and feminine qualities
such as leadership and nurturance.
By this approach, androgyny is seen as a lifestyle choice

Evaluation of Androgyny Hypothesis
Initial studies carried out by Bem
supported the claim of androgyny
equalling psychological health.
However, later studies contradicted the
androgyny hypothesis, suggesting that
individuals who had most
masculinity items were better
adjusted overall- Zeldow et al
(1985)
Nevid and Rathus - Challenged
androgyny by stating that it is
masculinity, not androgyny that
accounts for greater self-esteem.

Evaluation of Androgyny Hypothesis
Feminist psychologist Hollway (2002) argued that Bem’s
ideas about androgyny imply that individuals need to
change their ways of thinking and seeing the world.
Instead, she argues that social changes in the amount of
power afforded to men and women need to take place.
She also objects Bem’s acceptance of male
characteristics such as competitiveness and dominance,
as desirable for women.

Advantages of study of androgyny
The study of androgyny has removed the bias approach
that assumed that the only options were male and female.
It has established that people may have an androgynous
gender identity, and many of us will have both male and
female sex-typed characteristics.

Quiz
1. What does psychological androgyny refer to?
2. Why did the state of androgyny flourish in the 1970’s
and 1980’s?
3. What does the androgyny hypothesis propose?

Quiz
• 4. Why did Bem believe that androgynous individuals are
in a healthier psychological state?
• 5. Describe androgyny from a behavioural perspective
• 6. Bem’s work challenged the accepted belief in the 1970s
and the 1980s that women should be feminine and men
should be masculine? What did Zeldow find?

Quiz
• 7. What criticisms were made by Hollway about Bem’s
hypothesis?
• 8. What are some advantages to the study of androgyny?

Quiz Answers
• 1. What does psychological androgyny refer to?
• A- it refers to the coexistence of both masculine and female
characteristics in an individual
• 2. Why did the state of androgyny flourish in the 1970’s and
1980’s?
• A- because during this period, there were dramatic
developments in gender equality and advancement of gay
rights
• 3. What does the androgyny hypothesis propose?
• A- claims that androgynous individuals are psychologically
healthier than sex typed ones

Quiz
• 4. Why did Bem believe that androgynous individuals are in a
healthier psychological state?
• A- because she believed that these individuals would not see
the world in terms of gender stereotypes
• 5. Describe androgyny from a behavioural perspective
• A- from a behaviour point of view, it is behaviour demonstrated
by what people do rather than what they think, so androgyny is
seen as a lifestyle choice.
• 6. Bem’s work challenged the accepted belief in the 1970s and
the 1980s that women should be feminine and men should be
masculine? What did Zeldow find?
• A- He found that individuals who had most masculinity were
better adjusted overall

Quiz
• 7. What criticisms were made by Hollway about Bem’s
hypothesis?
• A- argued that Bem’s ideas about androgyny imply that
individuals need to change their ways of thinking and
seeing the world
• 8. What are some advantages to the study of androgyny?
• A- has removed the biased approach that assumed that
only options were male and female.