Sex-role identity and mental ability

Abstract

The central concern of this study was to explore the relationship between sex-role identity (measured by a bi-dimensional scale of masculinity and femininity) and field independence and scholastic intelligence. One hundred and forty Australian males and 181 females in grades 11 and 12 completed the Witkin Group Embedded Figures Test, the Otis Higher Test C of intelligence and a shortened version of the Bem Sex Role Identity Questionnaire. The correlation between performance on the Witkins and Otis was 0.53. Males performed significantly better on the Witkin and Otis than females. Males with lower masculinity scores scored better on the Otis than those with higher scores on masculinity. Females with low femininity scores performed higher on the Witkin and Otis than females with high femininity scores. When subjects were allocated by sex into one of four sex-role identity groups (high masculine-high feminine, high masculine-low feminine, low masculine-high feminine, low masculine–low feminine) significant differences in intelligence (Otis) among sex-role groups were found for females. The most significant difference in intelligence was obtained between the high masculine–low feminine and low masculine-high feminine groups of females. Results are discussed in terms of previous findings.