Statistical indices of masculinity-femininity: A theoretical and practical framework.

ABSTRACT: Statistical indices of masculinity-femininity (M-F) summarize multivariate profiles of sex-related traits as positions on a single continuum of individual differences, from masculine to feminine. This approach goes back to the early days of sex differences research; however, a systematic discussion of alternative M-F indices (including their meaning, their mutual relations, and their psychometric properties) has been lacking. In this paper I present an integrative theoretical framework for the statistical assessment of masculinity-femininity, and provide practical guidance to researchers who wish to apply these methods to their data. I describe four basic types of M-F indices: sex-directionality, sex-typicality, sex-probability, and sex-centrality. I examine their similarities and differen

SUBMITTER: Del Giudice M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11362193 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature