Description

The Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) is a psychometric tool developed to assess individual differences in perceptions of masculinity and femininity. The PAQ was created by Janet T. Spence and Robert Helmreich in the 1970s. The questionnaire is used to measure how individuals evaluate their own personal attributes in relation to traditional gender roles.

Purpose

The main purpose of the PAQ is to examine individual perceptions of the dimensions of masculinity and femininity, as well as androgyny (a concept that includes both masculine and feminine traits). The PAQ is widely used in research to understand gender stereotypes, self-perception, and psychological well-being.

Analysis

The PAQ consists of a series of statements that assess three main dimensions:
Masculinity: Traits traditionally considered masculine, such as self-confidence, independence, and leadership.
Femininity: Traits traditionally considered feminine, such as sensitivity, tenderness, and care.
Androgyny: A combined dimension that includes both masculine and feminine traits.
Participants are asked to respond to these statements using a Likert scale, usually ranging from “very little” to “very much.”

Scoring

Scoring of the PAQ is done by summing the response scores to the statements related to each of the three dimensions. The total scores for each dimension are calculated by adding the scores of the individual items. These scores can be compared with population norms to determine an individual’s profile of characteristics in relation to masculinity, femininity, and androgyny.
Higher scores in a particular dimension indicate a greater presence of the traits of that dimension in the individual, while lower scores indicate a lesser presence of those traits.

References

Spence, J. T., & Helmreich, R. (1978). Masculinity and Femininity: Their Psychological Dimensions, Correlates, and Antecedents. University of Texas Press.
Spence, J. T., Helmreich, R. L., & Stapp, J. (1974). The Personal Attributes Questionnaire: A measure of sex-role stereotypes and masculinity-femininity. JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 4, 43–44.
Helmreich, R. L., & Spence, J. T. (1978). The Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire: An objective instrument to assess components of achievement motivation and attitudes toward family and career. JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 8, 35.
Bem, S. L. (1974). The measurement of psychological androgyny. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42(2), 155–162.