Ecological Value of Bem's Gender Schema Theory Explored through Females' Traditional and Nontraditional Occupational Contexts

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the ecological adequateness of Bern's gender schema theory. Four female samples were selected on the basis of occupation (workers and students) and nature of occupational settings (traditional vs nontraditional). The hypothesis was that women engaged in traditionally feminine or in male-dominated environments exhibit corresponding gender schema. Using the French adaptation of the Bern Sex-Role Inventory to identify gender-schematic categories, the women engaged in male-oriented activities had a significantly distinct gender-schematic profile relative to that for women functioning in traditional settings. The implications of being involved in nontraditional environments are discussed.