The Perception of Androgyny and Physical Attractiveness

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Abstract
The present investigation examines the effects of sex role and attractiveness information of subjects' perceptions of a stimulus person (SP). Male and female SPs who were attractive, moderately attractive, or unattractive were made to appear masculine, feminine, or androgynous by their response to the Short Form of the Bem Sex Role Inventory. The sex and sex role of subject raters were also considered. Results indicated that androgynous persons were favorably perceived on the gender-linked dimensions of instrumentality and expressivity, and in sex neutral desirable traits. They were regarded as better adjusted, more likeable, and as having an advantage in the occupational domain, compared to masculine and feminine persons. Contrary to predictions derived from Bem's (1981) gender schema theory, the subject raters's sex role did not influence SP evaluations.