Assessing the current validity of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory

The Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) is a widely used instrument in measuring gender role perceptions. Recent concerns regarding the validity of the adje ctives have arisen as changes in the roles of men and women have occurred i n American society since the 1970's. A partial replication of the method th at Bem (1974) used to validate the masculine and feminine adjectives compri sing the instrument was conducted All but two of the adjectives were valida ted using Bem's criteria. These findings suggest that the BSRI may still be a valid instrument for assessing gender roles. However; evidence was revea led that traditional masculine and feminine gender role perceptions may be weakening. Future validation of the BSRI is warranted in light of these pat terns.