Abstract
Gender-related aspects of self-perception were explored for 24 anatomical males consisting of three matched groups of transsexuals, heterosexuals, and homosexuals. MacKenzie's Diagnostic Criteria Scale ratings were used to confirm group membership. Instruments used were the Repertory Grid Technique, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Bem Self Role Inventory, Maferr Inventory of Masculine Values, and Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory. Results for transsexual subjects reflected lowest self-esteem. Of the three groups, they perceived themselves to be the most like females and the most unlike other males. Transsexual subjects tended to describe themselves in nonmasculine terms and valued their gender role orientation. Homosexual subjects, on the other hand, reported the highest self-esteem. Additionally, they saw themselves as the most similar to males and the most dissimilar to females. As a group, homosexual subjects described themselves in comparatively strong masculine-stereotyped fashion and valued this posture. However, they believed that women do not value the self-orientation which these subjects endorsed for themselves. Heterosexual subjects scored moderately high in terms of global self-esteem. They described themselves as somewhat masculine to androgynous and reported valuing their gender role orientation. Results on the Repertory Grid and the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory showed heterosexual subjects to be the least polarized in their genderrelated self-descriptions. This group generally appeared to be least concerned with traditional gender role referents. The importance of a cognitive approach to clinical assessment of the transsexual individual is stressed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Babl, J. D. (1979). Compensatory masculine responding as a function of sex role.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 47: 252–257.
Bem, S. L. (1974). The measurement of psychological androgyny.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol 42: 155–162.
Bem, S. L., and Watson, C. (1976).Revised Scoring Packet: Bem Sex Role Inventory. Available from first author.
Bem, S. L. (1977). On the utility of alternative procedures for assessing psychological androgyny.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. (1976). 45: 196–205.
Bender, M. P. (1976). Does construing people as similar involve similar behaviour towards them?: A subjective and objective replication.Brit. J. Soc. Clin. Psychol. 15: 93–95.
Bentler, P. M. (1976). A typology of transexualism: gender identity theory and data.Arch. Sex. Behav. 5: 567–584.
Derogatis, L. R. (1976). Psychological assessment of the sexual disabilities. In Meyer, J. K. (ed.),Clinical Management of Sexual Disorders Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins.
Derogatis, L. R., Meyer, J. K., and Vazquez, N. (1978). A psychological profile of the transsexual: I. The male.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 166: 234–254.
Epstein, S. (1973). The self-concept revised: Or a theory of a theory.Amer. Psychol. May: 28: 404–416.
Giles, P. G., and Rychlak, J. R. (1965). The validity of the role construct repertory test as a measure of sexual identification.J. Proj. Tech. 29: 7–11.
Green, R. (1974).Sexual Identity Conflict in Children and Adults. New York, Basic Books. London, Gerald Duckworth.
Hollingshead, A. B. (1957).Two Factor Index of Social Position. New Haven, Connecticut, August B. Hollingshead.
Kelly, G. A. (1955).The Psychology of Personal Constructs. New York, W. W. Norton.
Lederman, D. G. (1954).Sexual identification on the role construct repertory test. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Ohio State University.
MacKenzie, K. R. (1973). The family context of a case of gender dysphoria. Paper presented at the Third International Symposium on Gender Identity, Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia.
MacKenzie, K. R. (1978). Gender dysphoria syndrome: Toward standardized diagnostic criteria.Arch. Sex. Behav. 7: 251–262.
MacKenzie, K. R. (1979). The measurement of self concept in psychiatric outpatients: A factor analytic study of the Tennessee Self Concept Scale. Paper presented at the American Group Psychotherapy Association Conference, New York.
MacKenzie, K. R., Bala, M., Angus, D., and Love, E. (1977). Endocrine abnormalities in gender dysphoric patients. Paper presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Gender Dysphoria, Norfolk.
Money, J., and Ehrhardt, A. A. (1972).Man and Woman, Boy and Girl: The Differentiation and Dimorphism of Gender Identity from Conception to Maturity Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Rosenberg, M. (1965).Society and the Adolescent Self Image Princeton, Princeton University Press.
Rosenberg, M. (1979).Conceiving the Self New York, Basic Books.
Ryle, A. (1975).Frames and Cages: The Repertory Grid Approach to Human Understanding New York, International Universities Press.
Silber, E., and Tippett, J. S. (1965). Self-esteem: Clinical assessment and measurement validation.Psychol. Rep. 16: 1017–1071.
Slater, P. (ed.). (1977).The Measurement of Intrapersonal Space by Grid Technique, Volume 2, Dimensions of Intrapersonal Space New York, John Wiley.
Steinmann, A., Fox, D., and Farkas, R. L. (1968). Male and female perceptions of male sex roles.Proceedings of the 76th Annual American Psychological Association Convention San Francisco, American Psychological Association.
Stoller, R. J. (1968).Sex and Gender (Vol. 1), New York, Science House.
Wylie, R. C. (1974).The Self-Concept: A Review of Methodological Considerations and Measuring Instruments (Vol. 1, rev. ed.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Skrapec, C., MacKenzie, K.R. Psychological self-perception in male transsexuals, homosexuals, and heterosexuals. Arch Sex Behav 10, 357–370 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01565539
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01565539