Development of the conformity to feminine norms inventory

• Published in: Sex roles Vol. 52; no. 7-8; pp. 417 - 435
• Main Authors: MAHALIK, James R, MORRAY, Elisabeth B, COONERTY-FEMIANO, Aimée, LUDLOW, Larry H, SLATTERY, Suzanne M, SMILER, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01-04-2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Behavior Standards; Biological and medical sciences; Conformity; Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory; Cultural Values; Eating Disorders; Factor Analysis; Females; Femininity; Feminism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gender roles; Indexes (Measures); Males; Modeling (Psychology); Norms; Personality Traits; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychometrics; Psychometrics. Sociometry; Psychotherapy; Resistance (Psychology); Scales; Self Actualization; Sex Differences; Sex Role; Sex Roles; Social Behavior; Social psychology; United States of America; USA; Women; Human; Sex role; Evaluation scale; Psychometrics; Conformity; Standards; gender roles; feminine norms; femininity; Feminity; Female; Inventory; women
• ISSN: 0360-0025; 1573-2762
• DOI: 10.1007/s11199-005-3709-7

This article describes the construction of the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory (CFNI), which was designed to assess women's conformity to an array of feminine norms found in the dominant culture in the United States. In addition, we present four studies in which the psychometric properties of the CFNI were examined. In Study 1, factor analysis indicated that the CFNI is comprised of eight distinct factors labeled as Nice in Relationships, Thinness, Modesty, Domestic, Care for Children, Romantic Relationship, Sexual Fidelity, and Invest in Appearance. Results from Study 2 indicated that the CFNI has strong internal consistency estimates and differentiates college women from college men. In addition, Study 2 demonstrated that the CFNI Total score and subscale scores relate to Bem Sex Role Inventory and Feminist Identity Development Scale scores in theoretically consistent patterns. Study 3 indicated that the CFNI Total score and several of the subscales significantly and positively relate to scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory. Finally, Study 4 demonstrated that the CFNI Total score and subscale scores have high test-retest estimates for a 2-3 week period. The discussion focuses on potential uses of the CFNI, limitations to the study, and suggestions for future research. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]