CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2009
| Author | Kosterina, Elena |
|---|---|
| Title | Psychological Gender Inventories: Constructing the Concept of Gender through Measuring |
| Summary | In my work I analyze and criticize the phenomenon of gender-measuring inventories and practice of measuring gender-related concepts in psychometrics. I incorporate several approaches to this phenomenon – social theories of M. Foucualt, T. de Lauretis and J. Butler, feminist psychological theories of N. Chadorow, C. Gilligan and S. Bem, and data and literature from authors working in the field of psychometrics. Through my work I provide evidence for the fact that gender is perceived in psychometrics as one of the core personality dimensions that has to be theorized. I also argue that gender-measuring inventories can be seen as a part of regulatory mechanisms in the society because they function to control gendered behavior in individuals through imposing gender roles embedded in the content of the inventories. This finding is supported by the evidence provided by the interviews I conducted with 11 respondents; the data from the analysis of interviews showed that the statement of identity provided by the inventories can influence individuals’ perception of gendered self. In my work I conclude that psychometric approach to gender as a quantitatively measurable core personality characteristic is linked to the view on gender in psychology as a whole, and this approach effects view on gender in psychological science and in society as well, because according to the evidence I provide psychology is seen as an authority in the social discourse on sex and gender. |
| Supervisor | Loutfi, Anna |
| Department | Gender Studies MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2009/kosterina_elena.pdf |
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