The relationship between androgyny and cognitive complexity: An exploratory investigation

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between psychological androgyny as measured by Bem's Sex Role Inventory and cognitive complexity, measured by Crockett's Role Category Questionnaire. It was expected that androgyny and high cognitive complexity would be correlated positively. A moderate correlation between androgyny and cognitive complexity was obtained. However, the result was interpreted as a function of the complexity measure. The unexpected result was that of the subjects who scored high in complexity, more were categorized as undifferentiated as contrasted with androgynous, masculine, or feminine. Suggestions, based on the results, are made for re‐examining psychological sex roles and cognitive complexity. Specifically, the researchers suggest that the undifferentiated individual be given serious attention and that qualitative indices of interpersonal construct systems be used to investigate further the connection between psychological androgyny and social cognition.