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Personal Attributes Questionnaire
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About Scale Name
Scale Name
Personal Attributes Questionnaire
Author Details
Janet T. Spence, Robert Helmreich, and Joy Stapp
Translation Availability
Not Sure

Background/Description
The Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) is a personality test that measures two scales “instrumentality” and “expressivity”, commonly taken to be masculinity and femininity, respectively. It was developed by Janet T. Spence, Robert Helmreich, and Joy Stapp in 1975.
The PAQ was developed in response to the limitations of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI), which was the most commonly used measure of gender identity at the time. The BSRI only measured two dimensions of gender identity: masculinity and femininity. However, Spence and her colleagues argued that gender identity is more complex than this, and that there should be a measure that can assess the full range of masculine and feminine characteristics.
The PAQ has 24 bipolar items rated on a 5-point scale (e.g. item 1: “Not at all aggressive” to “Very aggressive”). The items are scored together to yield three scores:
- Instrumentality (masculinity): This scale measures characteristics such as independence, assertiveness, and dominance.
- Expressivity (femininity): This scale measures characteristics such as emotionality, sensitivity, and nurturance.
- Androgyny (masculinity-femininity): This scale measures the extent to which a person possesses both masculine and feminine characteristics.
The PAQ has been used in a variety of research studies to examine the relationship between gender identity and other psychological variables, such as self-esteem, anxiety, and coping style. It is a well-validated measure of gender identity and has been shown to be reliable and valid across different cultures and populations.
The PAQ is a valuable tool for understanding gender identity. It can help people to better understand their own gender identity, identify areas where they may need to develop their masculine or feminine characteristics, and understand how their gender identity affects their relationships with others.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
The Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) can be administered in a variety of settings, including clinical settings, research settings, and educational settings. The PAQ can be administered individually or in groups.
- Provide the participant with the PAQ and a pencil.
- Instruct the participant to read each item carefully and to rate how well each item describes them.
- Answer any questions that the participant may have about the PAQ.
- Collect the PAQ from the participant.
- Score the PAQ according to the instructions in the manual.
Reliability and Validity
The Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) is a well-validated measure of gender identity. It has been shown to be reliable and valid across different cultures and populations.
Reliability refers to the consistency of the PAQ scores over time. Studies have shown that the PAQ scores are reliable, with test-retest correlations ranging from 0.70 to 0.80. This means that if a person takes the PAQ twice, their scores will be similar.
Validity refers to the extent to which the PAQ measures what it is supposed to measure. Studies have shown that the PAQ is valid, with correlations between the PAQ scores and other measures of gender identity ranging from 0.30 to 0.60. This means that the PAQ scores are related to other measures of gender identity, which suggests that the PAQ is measuring something real.
The PAQ has been used in a variety of research studies to examine the relationship between gender identity and other psychological variables, such as self-esteem, anxiety, and coping style. The PAQ has also been used in clinical settings to assess gender identity in people who are struggling with gender dysphoria.
Available Versions
24-Items
Reference
Spence, J. T., Helmreich, R., & Stapp, J. (1974). The Personal Attributes Questionnaire: A measure of sex-role stereotypes and masculinity-femininity. JSAS Catalog of Selected Documents in Psychology, 4, 436.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PAQ?
It is a self-report measure of gender identity that assesses two dimensions: masculinity and femininity.
How many items are on the PAQ?
There are 24 items on the PAQ.
How is the PAQ scored?
The PAQ is scored on a 5-point scale, and the scores are used to calculate three scores: instrumentality, expressivity, and androgyny.
What are the benefits of taking the PAQ?
The PAQ can help you to better understand your own gender identity, identify areas where you may need to develop your masculine or feminine characteristics, and understand how your gender identity affects your relationships with others.
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