Namok Choi

The Structure of the Bem Sex Role Inventory: A Summary Report of 23 Validation Studies

This study reports on a summary of 23 separate exploratory factor analytic validation studies of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) conducted during the 25 years since its publication. The ERIC and PsycLit databases were used to locate those validation studies. Number of items factor analyzed, sample characteristics, extraction and rotation methods used, names of factors, and factor structures reported in each of 23 studies were tabulated and analyzed. Two to four factors were retained in most of the studies, with masculine factors showing more factorially complex tendencies. Findings from this study suggest that masculinity and femininity have not been adequately operationalized in the BSRI and that the true structure of masculinity/femininity may be more complex than it appears when measured by the BSRI, which suggests that the BSRI may not capture the complex nature of masculinity/femininity. Implications of the results and the potential usefulness of the BSRI are discussed.

Exploratory Analysis of the Structure of Scores from the Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy

The purpose of the present study was to examine the internal structure of scores from Bandura’s Multidimensional Scales of Perceived Self-Efficacy (MSPSE). Data were obtained from college freshmen, a population previously untested with MSPSE. Results show that scores from nearly all items aligned almost exclusively with theoretically and empirically derived dimensions. Some differences in empirically derived dimensions occurred as a result of extraction procedures, although the differences observed still provided theoretically interpretable constructs. These results suggest that Bandura’s scales, with slight revisions, show promise for research on self-efficacy with undergraduate college students.

Exploratory and Confirmatory Studies of the Structure of the Bem Sex Role Inventory Short Form with Two Divergent Samples.

The short form of the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) contains half as many items as the long form and yet has often demonstrated better reliability and validity. This study uses exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic methods to examine the structure of the short form of the BSRI. A structure noted elsewhere also emerged here, consisting of two masculine factors and a single feminine factor. The three-factor model was found to be invariant across gender groups and also across two divergent samples, the first sample of college students and the second sample of accountants. As expected, women were found to score higher on the feminine factor. On a masculine factor that seemed to represent social control, men scored significantly higher than women did. However, no differences were found between men and women on a second masculine factor that seemed to represent a more internal, self-control dimension.

The Bem Sex-Role Inventory: Continuing Theoretical Problems.

Pedhazur and Tetenbaum speculated that factor structures from self-ratings of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) personality traits would be different from factor structures from desirability ratings of the same traits. To explore this hypothesis, both desirability ratings of BSRI traits (both for a man and for a woman) and self-ratings were obtained from the same sample and factor analyzed. Factor analyses performed on the three sets of ratings of the 40 BSRI traits (self-ratings, desirability ratings for a man, and desirability ratings for a woman) confirmed that the factors across ratings were diverse. Thus, the underlying constructs must be studied independently. Predictive discriminant analyses replicated the finding that two traits alone (Masculine and Feminine) provided nearly all of the discrimination of males and females in the sample when self-ratings were employed. Also, predictive discriminant analyses revealed that the classification of participants into gender groups was very accurate using self-ratings but deteriorated remarkably when using the desirability ratings.

Sex role group differences in specific, academic, and general self-efficacy.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine sex role group differences (androgynous, masculine, feminine, and undifferentiated) in three different levels of self-efficacy (general, academic, and course specific). A sample of 215 undergraduate participants completed the three measures of self-efficacy and the sex role measure. Results showed that there was a multivariate significance among the sex role groups in the three levels of self-efficacy and that both masculine and androgynous groups had significantly higher general and academic efficacy means than the undifferentiated or feminine groups. The major findings in this study are largely consistent with findings of previous researchers, supporting the theory that masculinity may be a key construct in the differentiation of individuals in self-efficacy, which has been shown to be an important predictor of achievement.

Hierarchical Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Bem Sex Role Inventory

This study examines the structural validity of scores from the Bem Sex Role Inventory using a maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Six hundred and sixty-five graduate and undergraduate students participate in the study. A seven firstorder factor model almost identical to the model reported in a previous CFA study is used as the baseline comparison model. The data for testing these models are obtained from an exploratory sample randomly selected from the whole sample. A hierarchical factor structure model with seven first-order factors (compassionate, interpersonal affect, shy, dominant, decisive, athletic, and self-sufficient) and two second-order factors (masculinity and femininity) fit the data quite well. The fit indices based on the validation sample collectively indicate a very good fit. The results of this study are notably consistent with the hierarchical factor models suggested in two previous CFA studies.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION AND PERFORMANCE IN DUAL-CREDIT COURSES IN A REFORM ENVIRONMENT

ABSTRACT Dual-credit programs are an increasingly popular policy tool of state-driven postsecondary reform, particularly where legislatures and state higher-education boards seek to increase access to higher education and achieve greater collaboration between schools and colleges. This study reports on the role and impact of dual-credit programs in the reform of Kentucky postsecondary education. Student records of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System analysis reveal that more students are enrolling and succeeding in dual-credit courses. Participation rates of students from underserved populations are also increasing, thus indicating the efficacy of Kentuckys policies on dual-credit to help institutions meet the states reform goals for access and achievement in higher education.

FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE SELF-EFFICACY SCALE '

The purpose of this study was to examine further the factorial validity of the Self-efficacy Scale via component and subsequent correlational analyses. 651 undergraduates enrolled in an introductory psychology course voluntarily completed the Self-efficacy Scale and the Bem Sex-role Inventory. A principal component analysis with an orthogonal rotation produced a two-factor solution which was remarkably similar to the factor structures reported previously. The two factors (General Self-efficacy and Social Self-efficacy) accounted for about 34% of the total variance. Further, the correlation coefficients indicated that General Self-efficacy was more strongly related to masculine traits than to feminine traits, as defined by the Bem Sex-role Inventory.

Measuring Person–Environment Fit: A Further Validation of the Perceived Fit Scale

Perceived job fit typically encompasses an employees suitability for the requirements of the job or the culture and values of the organization. This view of job fit overlooks another suitability judgment made by employees in which contribution to the organization is compared with the rewards received in return. Cable and DeRue referred to this type of fit as needs–supplies fit in their 2002 study. To distinguish needs–supply fit from the two more commonly examined types of fit, person–organization fit and person–job fit, the researchers developed the Perceived Fit Scale (PFS). The purpose of the current study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PFS by evaluating its reliability, concurrent validity, and factor structure via confirmatory factor analysis. Three hundred and seventeen certified public accountants participated in the study. The factor analysis results showed that the final model in this study was similar to the factor structure of the PFS reported by the developers, thus providing further support for need–supply fit as a viable dimension of perceived job fit.

Developing a Unified Professional Identity in Counseling: A Review of the Literature

The rationale behind establishing a strong professional identity in counseling includes increasing the likelihood of ethical performances, an advanced awareness of counseling roles, and, ultimately, a better chance for the profession to survive. Scholars have underscored the importance of developing a unified professional identity, but have yet to do so in a way that has generated widespread support. This article presents a review of the literature detailing efforts to define professional identity and its components.