Measuring implicit gender-role orientation: the gender initial preference task

J Pers Assess. 2014;96(3):358-67. doi: 10.1080/00223891.2013.825622. Epub 2013 Aug 27.

Abstract

Individuals prefer their name letters over nonname letters, which is known as the name-letter effect (NLE). This research aimed to examine a possible NLE for gender-role orientation (GRO) by rating letters for their gender-typicality in an initial preference task (Gender-IPT). Indeed, a clear NLE appeared: Men rated their initials as more male-typical, whereas women rated them as more female-typical. The Gender-IPT showed good convergent validity with other direct and indirect (Gender Implicit Association Test) measures of GRO as well as predictive validity with sensation seeking and gender-typical everyday life behaviors. The Gender-IPT seems to be a useful and practical indirect measure to assess GRO in a short, convenient, and computer-independent way, complementing other indirect measures of GRO.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Choice Behavior / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gender Identity*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests / standards*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Concept*
  • Young Adult