Androgyny - what is it, theory. Androgynous style: what happens if you mix feminine and masculine Androgyny is trending
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Have you ever had the feeling that we are living precisely at the very time when traditional, unshakable social and moral standards were suddenly shaken, and our civilization began to rapidly change course? Where are we going and where will we end up? Will we remain the same: men and women who live, date, fall in love, start families and continue the human race? Or are we gradually evolving into another race? And if so, then what awaits us?
What does science say?
Androgyny - what is it? A product of our time, or perhaps a future that is no longer so distant? Or a phenomenon that has existed throughout the history of mankind, but about which it was not customary to speak out loud before? After all, even in ancient times, this concept existed, reaching us in the poetry of Sappho, in the dialogues of Plato, and in many other literary and historical sources. And what about ancient mythology, where there were often creatures endowed with both masculine and feminine principles, such as the god Janus.Science firmly stands on its own: each person has a certain set of chromosomes, according to which we are divided into Mars and Venus. Chromosome set XX - girl, XY - boy. It cannot be otherwise. Dot.
Any deviations are already an anomaly that should be studied up and down, and then appropriate measures should be taken. As a rule, people who call themselves androgynous do not have such genetic abnormalities. In other words, they are born with certain pronounced sexual characteristics, but as they grow up, they begin to identify themselves, and this is where that very glitch in the matrix occurs, when Victor, looking at himself in the mirror, suddenly realizes that in the image of Victoria he will feel very comfortable.
The human body is a complex thing. This is a sophisticated system in which clearly established mechanisms operate. But, as with any other mechanism, failures occur. So they can make themselves felt in a variety of manifestations, including both appearance and psycho-emotional state. And this, in turn, leads to the emergence of androgynes - people who simultaneously exhibit both masculine and feminine qualities. This is reflected in appearance by the presence of male and female characteristics in one organism at the same time.
This is why embarrassment happens to some, especially intelligent and well-mannered people, when, due to circumstances, they are forced to turn to ... either a girl or a boy.
Psychology
Masculine women and feminine men are a logical consequence of what in our society is commonly called equality, tolerance and tolerance. Some are inclined to perceive this fact almost as a harbinger of the Apocalypse. Others, on the contrary, see this as a new milestone in evolution, considering androgynes as people of the future, more perfect, harmonious and self-sufficient.Androgyny is a sociocultural and psychosocial phenomenon. One of the first who paid close scientific attention to this issue was the founder of analytical psychology Carl Gustav Jung. In his theory, he identified a special archetype of a perfect, holistic personality, in which the masculine, feminine principles and the so-called Self merge. As a result, the concept of psychological androgyny appeared.
American psychologist Sandra Bem, who studies gender issues, has developed her own method for determining psychological sex, known as “Masculinity-femininity”. Its essence is simple: the subject is offered a gender-role questionnaire containing 60 statements, to which he must answer either affirmatively or negatively. Based on the results, the psychological gender of the subject is determined: man, woman or androgynous.
Interesting fact: if in the 70s of the 20th century, the newly created Bem method gave standard results, that is, for most men masculinity predominated, for most women femininity, then today the situation has changed significantly. Many who take this test are often surprised to discover that they have predominant androgyny traits.
Important note: androgynes should not be confused with transvestites, homosexuals, etc. Among them there are both, and in addition there are even asexuals. But many of them are people with a traditional orientation, and absolutely do not want to change their gender. At the same time, they lead a normal lifestyle and create quite traditional families. In fact, they differ only in their unique appearance, by which it is sometimes quite difficult to determine their gender.
Androgyny is trending
The fashion industry generally lives its own life, absolutely disregarding any standards and norms, but creating new trends and trends. Show business is also not far behind. These are precisely those areas where everything is possible and everything is welcomed. Everything that in everyday life causes an ambiguous attitude, and sometimes even categorical rejection.
New trend
One of the new ones is androgyny, which is gaining increasing popularity and its army of fans and followers. And although this phenomenon itself is far from new, it has recently been very actively developing and joining general social life.The universal appearance of androgynes opens up broad prospects for them precisely in these areas, where everything unusual, non-standard and, of course, beautiful is almost deified. But no one would dare to argue that androgynes are truly fantastically beautiful. It is their pretty, well-groomed, graceful, refined appearance that separates them from all others. It is impossible to become like this, you just need to be born like this, otherwise you can turn into a pathetic parody that causes laughter, or even disgust.
The Secret of Magnetism
They have naturalness, they don’t need to invent an image for themselves, nature did it for them. And if a travesty is, as a rule, just a role, then androgyny is not just an appearance, but also a state of mind, the psychological and emotional essence of a person who has made a conscious choice with the help of Mother Nature. Perhaps this explains their special magnetism and attractiveness. And the doors to the fashion industry are joyfully opening to androgynous models, who can increasingly be found on catwalks, photo shoots and in commercials.
Famous androgynes
One of the most famous and sought-after androgynous people in the fashion world is, of course, the Serbian-Australian model Andrej Pejic, who, by the way, recently became Andrea by changing his gender. Looking at his photo, you understand that even for a girl he is indecently handsome; Aphrodite herself would be jealous.
Other famous androgynes include Placebo frontman Brian Molko, who even performed as a woman at the beginning of his career;
Dutch model Saskia de Brauw, presenting both men's and women's collections at shows;
actress and artist, and part-time favorite of designers, Tilda Swinton;
model, singer and actress Agyness Deyn;
Russian fashion model Stas Fedyanin, who, despite his incredibly feminine appearance, remains a full-fledged man with a traditional sexual orientation;
Swedish model and actress Erica Linder.
To be or not to be
Androgynes themselves call themselves the third gender and even a higher race, justifying this by the fact that they are more perfect and have found that very inner harmony that most other people cannot achieve. Even some psychologists tend to consider them mentally healthier and balanced.However, such statements cannot but cause controversy. Conservative and traditional people rightly believe that not everything is so smooth and optimistic. Androgyny can be called a kind of mask behind which those who want to avoid responsibility, infantile and selfish individuals hide. For example, an androgynous man, even with a traditional sexual orientation, is unlikely to court a woman in the way that is customary in our society. It’s hard to imagine him giving up his seat on the subway or bus, or opening doors for a lady, or that he is able to beat up street hooligans who pester his girlfriend without fear of breaking a nail or getting a lilac-pink “sunset” under his eye. How will such a man subsequently be able to care for and protect his family, if he has one at all?
Or another situation: as many psychological surveys show and as androgynous women themselves say on numerous talk shows and interviews, they hardly see themselves in the role of a mother, and some primordially feminine qualities are either completely absent or repressed in them into the depths of the subconscious.
As a consequence, the question arises: who will continue the human race if people continue to move in this direction? It won't be long until total extinction occurs, unless they start growing test tube babies.
Whatever one may say, androgyny has now become not just a subculture, it is rapidly gaining momentum and becoming an integral part of our lives. Whether this is good or bad, everyone decides for himself, but now it’s worth thinking about whether humanity is on the right path.
Androgyny- this is a demonstration by a person of simultaneously feminine and masculine characteristics, not necessarily equivalent to one another. This phenomenon reveals itself both in the physical aspect, when the feminine and masculine are combined in the physical appearance, and in the psychological aspect, when a significant coefficient of femininity and masculinity, individual female characteristics and masculine ones are manifested at the same time. The concept of androgyny is an indicator of an individual’s gender role, and is not characterized by being naturally female or male. Androgyne is an individual whose gender role designation does not fit the unambiguous definition of either femininity or masculinity.
What is androgyny?
In today's society, the traditional gender role functions of women and men are very mixed. It is often difficult to distinguish a boy from a girl even by appearance. What remains to be said about behavior, character, choice of profession or other life factors?
The concept of androgyny carries an understanding of the individual in terms of two genders. Early on, the word “androgyne” meant an interpretation of the term “hermaphrodite.” In Ancient Greece, androgyny meant the presence of both masculine characteristics and feminine characteristics in an individual’s appearance.
Today, androgyny is not a phenomenon that describes exclusively the physiological and anatomical aspect, it denotes psychosocial characteristics. Man is a social being; from childhood he absorbs the stereotypes of gender-role behavioral characteristics of a boy or girl. So a boy should or tends to be domineering, aggressive, risk-taking, assertive, strong, a leader, independent, ambitious. Stereotypes of raising a girl are: soft, gentle, passive, quiet, calm, shy, emotional. In modern man, these stereotypical gender-role characteristics are mixed and erased.
We can see signs of androgyny in men and women in some ignorance of role stereotypes that have integrated the traits of male masculinity and female femininity into their own lives. An androgyne is a person who has both masculine and feminine appearance or no such features at all; translated from Greek it means “male-female.”
For a long time, a person was considered mentally healthy, provided that her gender characteristics corresponded to her biological essence; in other cases, this was a deviation from the norm. Today's men are affectionate with children, sensitive, romantic in relationships, but domineering and tough in business, while women, having ambition and remaining a leader in working relationships, are affectionate and gentle with children and husbands. It is the concept of androgyny that reflects such flexible behavior of men and women, the mixture of their gender-role characteristics.
There are negative and positive aspects to androgynous behavior. The positive is that the androgyne has the ability to easily adapt to circumstances, relationships, situations, his behavior is more labile than that of individuals that are subject to stereotypical principles, traditional understandings of male-female roles.
A person with androgyny is able to better realize his sensitivity, emotionality, and attractiveness. His intimate behavior is more relaxed, has a positive disposition towards intimacy, and such a person is less predisposed to criticizing others.
What is the negative of androgyny in behavior? The main problem of androgyny is the difficulty in relationships with individuals of traditional views. Such people are often lonely, since it is very difficult for people with androgyny to find a mate among individuals of the opposite sex.
A “masculine” woman or a “feminine” man will not be attractive to the opposite sex, they are less likely to have close relationships, get married, or start a family. Also, there is an opinion about androgynous behavior in society as a deviation from the normal, a violation of sexual orientation, a deviation from gender identity. But it is worth understanding that androgyny is not homosexuality or transsexuality, it is a form of non-standard behavior of female and male individuals in a social format.
Androgyny theory
There is an ancient Greek myth about androgynous people. The philosopher Plato described them as ideal bisexual creatures who had the audacity to encroach on the power of the gods and in order to protect themselves from the attacks of androgens, Zeus separated them into different parts. This is how a woman and a man appeared in the world, and they will not be able to feel complete until they find their soul mate.
Psychologist Sandra Bem is considered to be the founder of the theory of androgyny, although Carl Jung was interested in this issue before her. According to Jung's works, the human psyche is androgynous by nature. The idea of the unity of anima and animus, the feminine in the masculine and the masculine in the feminine, was key in the archetypal view of psychological bisexuality. The “anima-animus” archetype is manifested in the unlived, repressed qualities and traits of an individual, which have significant energy and potential for the individual. Awareness of the inner man by the woman, and by the man of the inner woman, is an important step towards a full harmonious life and personal quality growth.
Sandra Bem insisted that androgyny improves one's chances of being fulfilled in the social world. In 1970, a psychologist developed the concept of androgyny, which challenged beliefs about the opposition and mutual exclusivity of gender roles. S. Bem developed a questionnaire to diagnose people according to their gender role functions. Individuals with androgyny have a significant coefficient of masculine and feminine properties. “Feminine” individuals have more feminine traits and fewer masculine ones, “masculine” ones have more masculine characteristics and fewer feminine ones, those who have equally low femininity and masculinity coefficients are called “undifferentiated.”
According to this theory, Bem emphasized the importance of coordinating masculine and feminine indicators for the full socialization of the individual. Masculinity and femininity do not confront each other, but are equally important and attractive to the public environment. And a person who has the characteristics only of his natural sex seems less adapted to life. Over time, S. Bem agreed that the theory of androgyny is imperfect and not entirely adequate to reality. Since the problem of androgyny is not so much a change in individual characteristics as in social ones.
Psychological androgyny
Modern psychologists interpret androgyny as the combination in one person of social gender functions that belong to both a woman and a man. Today it has already been proven that gender functions and sex-role characteristics are formed rather in the family sphere in accordance with the characteristics of raising a boy or a girl; their formation is also influenced by the development of society, and gender differences inherent in nature are of less importance. Although the importance of the biological development of a child from conception cannot be ignored, its impact on the difference in the psychological formation of men and women.
In the course of studying androgyny, S. Bem, an American psychologist, developed a gender role questionnaire and classified all individuals into four categories.
The first group of people are masculine individuals, they have clearly identified masculine traits: independence, assertiveness, ambition, risk-taking, etc. The second group are feminine individuals, they express the traditional characteristics of a woman: softness, tenderness, the ability to sympathize, tactfulness, emotionality, compliance and similar traits. Androgynes are the third group; they have signs of androgyny: features corresponding to the feminine and masculine types. The fourth group is people of an indeterminate type of sexual psychological identity, who have neither pronounced feminine nor masculine traits.
An individual has the opportunity to have feminine and masculine character traits, regardless of individual gender. So a woman can have stereotypical masculine characteristics: be aggressive, firm, independent, and a man can be gentle, romantic, sympathetic. S. Bem substantiated that femininity and masculinity are not mutually exclusive personality traits. According to the beliefs of many psychologists, individuals who have significant, equally designated masculine and feminine individual characteristics, i.e. traits of androgyny are full-fledged and integral individuals. And individuals with an uncertain gender identity, who have a low coefficient in both categories, are considered immature individuals.
Psychological androgyny does not imply only a set of qualities of femininity and masculinity, the manifestation of these qualities in social behavior, it is also the ability to be flexible in choosing behavioral forms depending on emerging tasks, current situations, circumstances.
Androgyny, as a psychological characteristic, has a significant function in adaptive socialization in today's society. It gives a person the ability to change and adapt to changing life circumstances, and not act stereotypically, obeying his gender role function. Androgynes are highly resistant to stress; due to the presence of male and female character traits, their opportunities for self-realization in different spectrums of activity increase.
In conclusion, it is appropriate to note that androgyny is not a deviation from the norm of development, the owner of androgynous qualities is more harmonious and conscious in accepting himself fully, through personal behavior and external image he tries to broadcast his inner world to society: feelings, experiences, perceptions, himself. Androgyny is a mentally normal phenomenon.
Many researchers are of the opinion that a holistic (holic) personality is characterized not by masculinity or femininity, but by androgyny, i.e. the integration of a female emotional-expressive style with a male instrumental style of activity, freedom of bodily expressions and preferences from the rigid dictates of gender roles. Interestingly, even in the time of Plato, there was a widespread legend about androgenic people who combined the appearance of both sexes. They were strong and harbored plans to encroach even on the power of the gods. And then Zeus divided them into two halves - male and female. “Since ancient times,” writes Plato, “people have had a love attraction towards each other, which, connecting the former halves, tries to make one out of two and thereby heal human nature” (Plato. Feast. - M.: Thought. - 1993. - pp. 98-103).
Androgyny is understood as the emancipation of both sexes, and not as women's struggle for equality in a masculine-oriented society.
“The difference feminist movement, which celebrates the differences dictated by gender stereotypes, is concerned that androgyny and other new trends that reduce the differences between men and women will eventually turn into a melting furnace from which women will emerge as copies of men. They also argue that feminine qualities, conveyed through gender stereotypes, have fallen into undeserved disgrace. Like them, the men's mythopoetic movement (so called because they use fairy tales and myths to illustrate the "Bach masculine nature" of men) claims that natural masculine qualities have been unfairly forgotten and that men have become too "feminized" and become "sluts" (Kimmel and Kaufman, 1994). In a certain sense, these ideas coincide with modern criticism of the “melting furnace” that is culture. The idea of a "melting furnace" where people from different cultures come together and eventually fuse with each other (i.e., assimilate) has fallen out of favor. The problem here is that when a stronger culture assimilates a weaker one, the latter loses its unique cultural traditions and its identity. Instead of the "melting furnace" metaphor, the "salad bowl" metaphor was adopted, reflecting that different cultures can mix and retain their unique flavors. The salad bowl model supports and values cultural diversity.
Valuing diversity - doesn't this mean we should value gender differences? I believe that we should value the qualities associated with both genders, but not gender differences... The artificial division of qualities into male and female leads to the imposition of meaningless restrictions on both sexes and contributes to the development of gender conflict. We should naturally value some qualities that in the past were considered masculine (or feminine), but we should not assume that a person must necessarily belong to a certain gender in order to possess them” (S. Bern, 2001, p. 119- 120).
Although Sandra Bem is considered the creator of the theory of androgyny, she had predecessors, including such an authoritative one as Carl Jung.
K. Jung (1994) saw the idea of the unity of two opposites - male and female - as an archetypal image. The embodiment of the feminine in the male unconscious (anima) and the masculine in the feminine (animus), i.e., he considered psychological bisexuality as the most significant archetypes, as regulators of behavior, manifesting themselves most typically in some dreams and fantasies or in the irrationality of male feelings and female reasoning.
Both animus and anima reside, according to C. Jung, between individual consciousness and the collective unconscious. The animus is expressed in spontaneous, unintentional views that influence a woman's emotional life. Anima is a similar combination of feelings that influence the worldview of men, being directed towards the unconscious and ambiguous in a woman, as well as towards her vanity, coldness and helplessness. The “anima-animus” archetype, according to C. Jung, consists of repressed, unlived personality traits that contain enormous opportunities and energy for a more complete realization of the individual’s potential. Remaining in the unconscious, anima and animus are dangerous in many ways. A man’s awareness of his inner femininity (anima), and a woman’s awareness of masculinity (animus), leads to the discovery and integration of the true essence, which is an indicator of personal growth.
Close to the point of view of C. Jung is the position of the representative of modern analytical psychology R. Johnson (1995), who believes that a woman’s life path is a continuous struggle and evolution in relation to the male way of life, located both outside her and inside, in as your own animus. “The development of woman can continue if the animus, conscious as such, takes a position between the conscious ego and the unconscious inner world and mediates between them, helping wherever it can. Subsequently, he will help open the true spiritual world for her,” writes R. Johnson (p. 41).
As C. Martin (1990) notes, previously androgynous behavior was allowed by parents only in relation to girls. Now views have changed, and even a boy can become androgynous. Such behavior is developed in children if it is modeled in front of the child by a parent of the same sex and accepted (encouraged) by a parent of the opposite sex (D. Ruble, 1988).
“The new way of life leads to the emergence of new psychological and social characteristics of both sexes. Both men and women today strive to realize the “other half” of their nature, which they have been taught to suppress for centuries. The result is a confusion of male and female qualities, a denial of the inequality of the sexes and their strictly complementary nature.
Another new phenomenon is the erosion of the age-old stereotype of the male warrior, an image that goes back to ancient times.
Today, when the threat of nuclear war looms over the world, it makes no sense, when talking about the future, to attribute to a man the virtues of a traditional warrior. All of us, men and women, could become victims of such a war, and we would have neither the time nor the opportunity to defend ourselves. The specter of the atomic bomb makes us not think about the differences between the sexes: after all, even a woman can “press the button.”
But besides this apocalyptic picture, modern wars give rise to other images of a man with a weapon in his hands. And this is not surprising: war simply ceased to be the prerogative of men, just as activity or passivity ceased to be properties of one or the other sex.
Oddly enough, the characteristic qualities of men have not yet become the subject of such widespread discussion and debate as the specific characteristics of women. And yet we dare to predict that in the next 50 years this issue will become very acute.
Women seem to have adopted purely masculine qualities while retaining traditionally feminine characteristics. Western woman of the 20th century. - a kind of bisexual creature. She is both masculine and feminine, playing one or the other role depending on the time of day or period of life. She reluctantly accepts the new and abandons the old, balancing like a tightrope walker (which is not always easy) between her feminine and masculine aspirations. Now passive - now full of energy, now a loving mother - now an ambitious egoist, now tender - now aggressive, now patient - now an assertive modern woman has mixed all the cards that fate has dealt her.
Against the backdrop of this “women’s revolt,” men’s resistance and even their concern immediately become noticeable. The changes that women are experiencing and their new demands are forcing men to question their traditional attitudes towards themselves. The fact that women have mastered all male occupations and appropriated to themselves traits that from time immemorial were considered masculine is often perceived by men as robbery in broad daylight, as a loss with which they cannot come to terms.
Men find it difficult to assimilate feminine traits and openly express them in their behavior, because they see this as a threat to their manhood. As for women, they look at this problem differently. The most convincing explanation for this reaction of men is given by the American psychoanalyst Robert J. Stoller. In contrast to Freud, he argues that “masculine” qualities are no stronger or more natural than feminine ones. In the first few months of life, a newborn boy identifies himself with his mother, with whom he lives in symbiosis” (Elisabeth Badinter. - UNESCO Courier. - 1986. - Apr. - P. 16).
Sandra Bem (S. Bem, 1975) believed that androgyny provides greater opportunities for social adaptation. Thus, foreign studies have found a connection between androgyny and situational flexibility (S. Bem, 1975), high self-esteem (J. Orlofsky, 1977), motivation to achieve (J. Spence, R. Helmrich, 1978), and good performance of the parental role ( D. Baumrind, 1982). Greater satisfaction with marriage, a greater sense of well-being, etc. were also noted. In our country, there are also supporters of this point of view on androgyny. Thus, V. M. Pogolsha (1997, 1998) believes that men and women with androgynous traits may have advantages, for example, in the ability to influence other people. People have been found to have more satisfying relationships with androgynous partners (Ickes, 1993).
Androgyny is highly dependent on ethnic and social factors. Thus, African Americans and Puerto Ricans, both men and women, are more androgynous than Euro-Americans (D. Binion, 1990; K. Dugger, 1988). This is explained by the high unemployment rate among black men and low pay for their work, as a result of which black women have taken more confident positions in the labor market compared to white women. Their idea of femininity began to include self-confidence, resourcefulness and independence, and physical strength.
With this in mind, some theorists have begun to say that the category “woman” is unstable or non-existent. But then the same can be said about the category “man”.
The theory of androgyny aroused not only great interest in the West, but also criticism of its foundations (R. Ashmore, 1990; M. Sedney, 1989). This may have been due to the fact that in American society, masculinity gives a person more advantages than femininity and androgyny, and therefore some women prefer to demonstrate masculine behavior, since the benefits from it may be greater than the losses (M. Taylor, J. Hall , 1982). A number of women emulate masculine leadership styles, especially if they occupy positions in traditionally male fields (K. Bartol, D. Martin, 1986; E. Cox, 1996). M. Taylor and J. Hall even believe that the concept of androgyny is unnecessary.
Spence and Helmrich (J. Spens, R. Helmrich, 1981) suggested using other terms instead of “masculinity” and “femininity”: instrumentality (the ability to assert oneself and competence traditionally attributed to men) and expressiveness, traditionally associated with femininity.
S. Bem herself, in her last book (1993), admits that the concept of androgyny is far from the real state of affairs, since the transition of an individual to androgyny requires changes not in personal characteristics, but in the structure of social institutions. In addition, there is a danger of losing the positive benefits of flattening the male-female dichotomy.
At the same time, the positive side of S. Bem’s concept of androgyny is that it drew attention to the fact that both masculine and feminine qualities can be equally attractive to society.
Androgyny theory
| Parameter name | Meaning |
| Article topic: | Androgyny theory |
| Rubric (thematic category) | Psychology |
Table 13.1. Typology of men and women according to the severity of masculinity and femininity
When characterizing masculinity-femininity given in English-language literature, there is a clearly visible tendency to associate masculinity with activity, and femininity with communication. There is a joke about this in English-speaking countries: “When a husband returns from friends, his wife asks him: “What are you talking about?” talked“The husband replies: “Nothing. We were just fishing." When the wife returns from her friends, the husband, in turn, asks her: "What are you doing there? did“To which the wife replies: “Nothing, we were just talking.”
It is noted that high femininity in women and high masculinity in men are not at all a guarantee of mental well-being. Thus, high femininity in women often coincides with low self-esteem and increased anxiety. Highly masculine men were also found to be more anxious, less self-confident and less capable of leadership, although as teenagers they had such confidence and were satisfied with their position among their peers. Highly feminine women and highly masculine men cope worse with activities that do not coincide with traditional gender roles. Children who behave strictly in accordance with the requirements of their gender role often have lower intelligence and less creativity. Believes that fulfilling the role of masculinity has not only positive aspects, but also negative ones. Moreover, when the situation requires the manifestation of “feminine” qualities and actions, a man who strictly adheres to the male role may experience male gender role stress or, according to O'Neill, gender role conflict.
O'Neill and his colleagues noted six signs of gender role conflict.
1. Limitation of emotionality - difficulty in expressing one's emotions or denial of the right of others to express them.
2. Homophobia - fear of homosexuals.
3. The need to control people and situations, to exercise power.
4. Limiting sexual behavior and displays of affection.
5. Obsessive desire for competition and success.
6. Physical health problems arising from poor lifestyle choices.
Many researchers are of the opinion that a holistic (holic) personality is characterized not by masculinity or femininity, but androgyny,T. e. integration of the female emotional-expressive style with the male instrumental style of activity, freedom of bodily expressions and preferences from the strict dictates of gender roles. Interestingly, even in the time of Plato, there was a widespread legend about androgenic people who combined the appearance of both sexes. They were strong and harbored plans to encroach even on the power of the gods. And then Zeus divided them into two halves - male and female.
Androgyny is usually understood as the emancipation of both sexes, and not as the struggle of women for equality in a masculine-oriented society.
Although Sandra Bem is considered the creator of the theory of androgyny, she had predecessors, incl. and as authoritative as Karl Yunᴦ.
K. Jung (1994) saw the idea of the unity of two opposites - male and female - as an archetypal image. The embodiment of the feminine principle in the male unconscious ( anima) and masculine in feminine ( animus),T. That is, he considered psychological bisexuality as the most significant archetypes, as regulators of behavior, manifesting themselves most typically in some dreams and fantasies or in the irrationality of male feelings and female reasoning.
Both animus and anima reside, according to C. Jung, between individual consciousness and the collective unconscious. The animus is expressed in spontaneous, unintentional views that influence a woman's emotional life. Anima is a similar combination of feelings that influence the worldview of men, being directed towards the unconscious and ambiguous in a woman, as well as towards her vanity, coldness and helplessness. The “anima-animus” archetype, according to C. Jung, consists of repressed, unlived personality traits that contain enormous opportunities and energy for a more complete realization of the individual’s potential. Remaining in the unconscious, anima and animus are dangerous in many ways. A man’s awareness of his inner femininity (anima), and a woman’s awareness of masculinity (animus), leads to the discovery and integration of the true essence, which is an indicator of personal growth.
Close to the point of view of C. Jung is the position of the representative of modern analytical psychology R. Johnson (1995), who believes that a woman’s life path is a continuous struggle and evolution in relation to the male way of life, located both outside her and inside, in as your own animus. “The development of a woman can continue if the animus, recognized as such, takes a position between the conscious ego and the unconscious inner world and becomes a mediator between them, helping wherever it can. Subsequently, he will help open the true spiritual world for her,” writes R. Johnson (p. 41).
As C. Martin (1990) notes, previously androgynous behavior was allowed by parents only in relation to girls. Now views have changed, and even a boy can become androgynous. Such behavior is developed in children if it is modeled in front of the child by a parent of the same sex and accepted (encouraged) by a parent of the opposite sex (D. Ruble, 1988).
ʼʼThe new way of life leads to the emergence of new psychological and social characteristics of both sexes. Both men and women today strive to realize the “other half” of their nature, which they have been taught to suppress for centuries. The result is a confusion of male and female qualities, a denial of the inequality of the sexes and their strictly complementary nature.
Another new phenomenon is the erosion of the age-old stereotype of the male warrior, an image that goes back to ancient times. Today, when the threat of nuclear war looms over the world, it makes no sense, when talking about the future, to attribute to men the virtues of a traditional warrior. All of us, men and women, could become victims of such a war, and we would have neither the time nor the opportunity to defend ourselves. The specter of the atomic bomb makes one not think about the differences between the sexes: after all, a woman can “press the button.”
But besides this apocalyptic picture, modern wars give rise to other images of a man with a weapon in his hands. And there is nothing surprising in this: war simply ceased to be the prerogative of men, just as activity or passivity ceased to be properties of one or the other sex.
Oddly enough, the characteristic qualities of men have not yet become the subject of such widespread discussion and debate as the specific characteristics of women. And yet we dare to predict that in the next 50 years this issue will become very acute.
Women seem to have adopted purely masculine qualities while retaining traditionally feminine characteristics. Western woman of the 20th century. - a kind of bisexual creature. She is both masculine and feminine, playing one or the other role depending on the time of day or period of life. She reluctantly accepts the new and abandons the old, balancing like a tightrope walker (which is not always easy) between her feminine and masculine aspirations. Now passive - now full of energy, now a loving mother - now an ambitious egoist, now tender - now aggressive, now patient - now an assertive modern woman has mixed all the cards that fate has dealt her.
Against the background of this “women’s revolt,” the resistance of men and even their concern immediately becomes noticeable. The changes that women are experiencing and their new demands are forcing men to question their traditional attitudes towards themselves. The fact that women have mastered all male occupations and appropriated to themselves traits that have been considered masculine from time immemorial is often perceived by men as robbery in broad daylight, as a loss with which they cannot come to terms.
It is difficult for men to assimilate female character traits and openly express them in their behavior, since they see this as a threat to their manhood. As for women, they look at this problem differently. The most convincing explanation for this reaction of men is given by the American psychoanalyst Robert J. Stoller.
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In contrast to Freud, he argues that “masculine” qualities are no stronger or more natural than feminine ones. In the first few months of life, a newborn boy identifies himself with his mother, with whom he lives in symbiosis.
Sandra Bem believed that androgyny provides greater opportunities for social adaptation. Thus, foreign studies have found a connection between androgyny and situational flexibility, high self-esteem, motivation to achieve, and good performance of the parental role. Also noted b O greater satisfaction with marriage, a greater sense of well-being, etc. In our country there are also supporters of this point of view on androgyny. Thus, V. M. Pogolsha believes that men and women with androgynous traits may have advantages, for example, in the ability to influence other people. It has been found that people have more satisfying relationships with androgynous partners. Androgyny is highly dependent on ethnic and social factors. Thus, African Americans and Puerto Ricans, both men and women, are more androgynous than Euro-Americans. This is explained by the high unemployment rate among black men and low pay for their work, due to which black women have taken more confident positions in the labor market compared to white women. Their idea of femininity began to include self-confidence, resourcefulness and independence, and physical strength.
With this in mind, some theorists began to say that the category “woman” is unstable or non-existent. But then the same can be said about the category “man”.
The theory of androgyny aroused not only great interest in the West, but also criticism of its foundations. Perhaps this was due to the fact that in American society, masculinity gives a person more advantages than femininity and androgyny, and in this regard, some women prefer to demonstrate masculine behavior, since the benefits from it should be greater than the losses. A number of women emulate masculine leadership styles, especially if they occupy positions in traditionally male fields. M. Taylor and J. Hall even believe that the concept of androgyny is unnecessary.
Spence and Helmrich (J. Spens, R. Helmrich, 1981) suggested using other terms instead of “masculinity” and “femininity”: instrumentality(the ability to assert oneself and competence traditionally attributed to men) and expressiveness traditionally associated with femininity.
S. Bem herself, in her last book (1993), admits that the concept of androgyny is far from the real state of affairs, since the transition of an individual to androgyny requires changes not in personal characteristics, but in the structure of social institutions. At the same time, there is a danger of losing the positive that smoothing the male-female dichotomy brings.
At the same time, the positive side of S. Bem’s concept of androgyny is that it drew attention to the fact that both masculine and feminine qualities are equally attractive to society.
The concept of the properties of the nervous system is introduced into physiology
I. P. Pavlov. B. M. Teplov, following I. P. Pavlov, under the properties of the nervous
systems understood the natural, innate features of the nervous system that influence
on the formation of individual forms of behavior (in animals) and some in-
individual differences in abilities and character (in humans).
If we proceed from the essence of the phenomena being studied, and not from the name of the properties of the nervous
system, then we can highlight such properties as the assimilation of the rhythm coming to the tissue
yum impulses (lability), the presence of trace processes (mobility-inert-
ity), background activity (activity, strength-weakness). Attempts have been made
studying other features of the nervous system, called
“property of dynamism” (V.D. Nebylitsyn, 1966) and “property of concentration of power”
awakening (M. N. Borisova, 19596), but later these attempts stopped,
obviously because there was no conviction of their actual existence
The main properties of the nervous system are the properties of the nervous system identified in experimental studies of differential psychophysiology: the dynamism of nervous processes, their strength, mobility and lability (Table 2). Each of these properties is characterized by two nervous processes - excitation and inhibition, as well as a third indicator - the balance of excitation and inhibition. Dynamism nervous system - a property of the nervous system, indicating the speed of formation of conditioned reactions. These reactions may consist in the development of positive conditioned reflexes, which is an indicator of dynamism in excitation, or in conditioned reflex inhibition (dynamism in inhibition). An indicator of dynamism in terms of excitation is, for example, a conditioned reflex change in electroencephalogram parameters. Using a sound signal as a conditioned stimulus, and a visual stimulus as a reinforcer, it is possible to cause a conditioned reflex change in cortical rhythm: in response to the sound signal, changes in the electroencephalogram will occur that are characteristic not of the sound stimulus, but of the combination of sound and light . Force nervous system - a property of the nervous system, understood as the ability of the nervous system to maintain a state of performance for a long time, as well as endurance in relation to long-term processes of excitation and inhibition. I.P. Pavlov’s ideas about changes in the excitatory process with increasing stimulus intensity determined the specifics of methods for studying the strength of the nervous system. At low intensity, irradiation of the excitatory process occurs, with increasing intensity, concentration occurs, and with a further increase in intensity, irradiation occurs again. In an experimental situation, varying the level of excitation is achieved by a combination of two methods: 1) two types of stimuli are supplied: a stimulus to which the subject must respond (for example, a sound signal), and a weak “point” stimulus. Increasing the intensity of this additional stimulus first increases sensitivity to the main signal, and then, at high intensity, reduces it. Taking into account the dependence of the strength of the nervous system, sensitivity to the main signal changes with different intensities of the additional stimulus; 2) different doses of caffeine are given, which enhance the process of excitation, and to a greater extent in those subjects who have a weak nervous system. At the same time, in individuals with a strong nervous system, sensitivity to the main stimulus does not change, but in individuals with a weak nervous system, it increases. As shown in experimental studies, strength-weakness parameters of the nervous system are associated with sensitivity. Thus, when measuring the latent periods of simple motor reactions (the time from the onset of the stimulus to the start of movement), it was found that in all subjects the latent periods decreased as the stimulus increased (for example, the louder the sound, the faster the subject reacts to it). Moreover, in subjects with a weak nervous system, this change (increased reaction speed with increasing stimulus intensity) is much less pronounced than in subjects with a strong nervous system, since “weak”, unlike “strong” ones, react relatively quickly to all stimuli. However, the flip side of the weakness of the nervous system (less endurance) is its high sensitivity. Mobility nervous system - a property of the nervous system that characterizes high-speed processes, in particular the rate of change from excitation to inhibition and inhibition by excitation. This property of the nervous system is diagnosed by altering the signs of the stimulus during the development of conditioned reactions. The sooner a positive stimulus turns into an inhibitory one in the process of transformation, the higher the rate of change from excitation to inhibition and the higher the mobility. Lability nervous system - a property of the nervous system associated with the rate of occurrence and cessation of nervous processes. The most common method for studying NS (nervous system) lability is sequential presentation of stimuli. Reducing the intervals between stimuli leads to the fact that at some point they cease to be perceived as discrete (light flashes, for example, cease to be perceived as flickering and seem to be an even light). The shorter the interval between stimuli, at which the stimuli are perceived as discrete, the higher the lability. In factor-analytic studies of the properties of the nervous system, it was shown that they are all independent properties. Later, at the end of the 60s, due to the partiality in the manifestations of the properties of the nervous system (mainly due to the discrepancy between the data obtained in different analyzers, for example, visual and auditory), the question of the existence of general and particular properties of the nervous system was considered . According to the assumption of V.D. Nebylitsyn, the differences between the general and particular properties of the nervous system are explained by the structural and morphological features of the structure of the brain. Particular properties of the nervous system (ᴛ.ᴇ. those that correspond to different analyzers) are associated with the retrocentral (posterior) cerebral cortex and with the specifics of its functions - the processing of sensory information. The general properties of the nervous system are determined by the antecentral (frontal) cortex of the brain, which provides general regulation of functions. Further analysis of the anatomical and morphological basis of the properties of the nervous system led to the conclusion about the importance of the general level of activation for the psychophysiological regulation of mental activity. Stable individual differences in the level of activation determine activation - the most general property of the nervous system, consisting in an unconditional reflex balance of the processes of excitation and inhibition. Indicators of activation in this case are, in particular, some features of brain rhythms, for example, the frequency of the alpha rhythm in the electroencephalogram recorded at rest. The identification of general and more specific properties of the nervous system allowed V.M. Rusalov to assume that the organization of these properties, their structure, have a hierarchical structure. The highest level is formed by the systemic properties of the nervous system, the function of which is to integrate nervous processes associated with the integral activity of the brain. The second level includes the properties of the nervous system that integrate neural processes associated with individual substructures of the brain. These properties of the nervous system include general properties studied by B.M. Teplov, and particular properties (corresponding to individual sensory modalities) described by V.D. Nebylitsyn. The most elementary level is formed by the properties of the nervous system associated with the integrative activity of neurons.
35STRENGTH OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
The concept of the strength of the nervous system was put forward by I. P. Pavlov in
1922. When studying the conditioned reflex activity of animals, it was revealed
It has been established that the greater the intensity of the stimulus or the more often it is used,
the greater the response conditioned reflex reaction. At the same time, when reaching a certain
divided intensity or frequency of stimulation, a conditioned reflex response to
starts to decline. In general, this dependence was formulated as the “law of force”
It was noticed that this law does not manifest itself in the same way in animals: in some
extreme inhibition, at which a decrease in the conditioned reflex begins
a significant response occurs at a lower intensity or frequency of stimulation than
others. The former were classified as a “weak type” of the nervous system, the latter as a “strong”
new type. Two methods have emerged for diagnosing the strength of the nervous system: according to the maximum
low intensity of a single irritation, which does not yet lead to a decrease in
the formation of a conditioned reflex reaction (measurement of force through the “upper threshold”), and by
the greatest number of irritations, which also does not yet lead to a decrease in reflex
tory response (measuring strength through its “endurance”).
In the laboratory of B. M. Teplov, a greater sensitivity of persons with
weak nervous system compared to persons with a strong nervous system
topic. Hence, another way of measuring the strength of the nervous system arose - through
the severity of a person’s response to signals of different intensities: subjects with weak
nervous system, due to its higher sensitivity, reacts to weak
and moderately strong signals are faster than subjects with a strong nervous system. By
Essentially, in this case, the strength of the nervous system is determined through the “lower threshold”.
The strength of the nervous system reactivity. In order for a visible
response (sensing a stimulus or moving a hand), it is necessary to
the irritant has exceeded or at least reached a certain (threshold) value
us. This means that this stimulus causes such physiological and physical
co-chemical changes in the irritated substrate which are sufficient for
the appearance of a sensation or motor response.
The strength of the nervous system endurance. Multiple repeated presentation
the introduction of a stimulus of equal strength at short intervals causes
the phenomenon of summation, i.e., strengthening of reflex reactions due to an increase in background activity
vation, since each previous excitation leaves behind a trace and in connection with this
each subsequent reaction of the subject begins at a higher functional
national level than the previous one.
Since the initial level of activation in subjects with a weak nervous system
higher than in subjects with a strong nervous system, the phenomenon of summation of excitation
and the associated increase in response (despite the constant physical
according to the Chinese parameters, the strength of the stimulus) they will reach the reaction limit faster
and the “braking” effect will occur faster, i.e., a decrease in the efficiency of the reaction
niya. In individuals with a strong nervous system, due to lower resting activation, there is
greater “margin of safety”, and in connection with this, their summation can last longer
time without reaching the response limit. At the same time, it is possible that the limit
the reaction of the “strong” is at a higher level than that of the “weak”
36MOBILITY-INERTITY
AND LABILITY OF NERVOUS PROCESSES
The property of mobility identified by I. P. Pavlov in 1932
nervous processes in the future, as B. M. Teplov pointed out (1963a), acquired pain
great ambiguity. For this reason, he identified the following features of nervous activity:
features characterizing the speed of functioning of the nervous system:
1) the speed of occurrence of the nervous process;
2) the speed of movement of the nervous process (irradiation and concentration);
3) the speed of disappearance of the nervous process;
4) the speed of change from one nervous process to another;
5) the speed of formation of a conditioned reflex;
6) ease of alteration of the signal meaning of conditioned stimuli and stereotypes.
Studying the relationship between these manifestations of speed of functioning
nervous system, carried out in the laboratory of B. M. Teplov, made it possible to identify two
main factors: ease of alteration of the meaning of conditioned stimuli (positive
telny - to negative and vice versa) - mobility and the speed of emergence and disappearance of nervous processes - lability .
Based on the fact that lability includes the speed of development of the nervous system
process and the speed of its disappearance, three methodological approaches to studying
functional mobility (lability): a) identifying the speed of occurrence
tion of excitation and inhibition, b) identification of the speed of disappearance of excitation
and inhibition, c) identifying the maximum frequency of generation of nerve impulses,
depending on both ʼʼaʼʼ and ʼʼbʼʼ.
BALANCE OF NERVOUS PROCESSES
The correlation of nervous processes was the first of the properties of the nervous
systems put forward by I.P. Pavlov. Despite this, it is still the least
studied. In any case, we cannot say that we are studying the balance of nervous
processes as understood by I.P. Pavlov (remember that he spoke about balance in terms of
excitation force and braking force). We can’t because we don’t know how to
reducing the force of the braking process. Instead, we judge (by indirect
signs) about the prevalence or balance of excitatory and inhibitory reactions in
human actions.
As indicators of this property, different researchers of the Pavlovian school
ly were: the magnitude of positive and inhibitory conditioned reflex reactions -
tions, the ratio of the number of errors (or correct reactions) to positive and
brake signal, constancy of the background of conditioned reflex activity, etc.
(E. P. Kokorina, 1963; G. A. Obraztsova, 1964, etc.).
In psychology, when measuring the balance of nervous processes in humans, they use
There are other indicators: the number of translations and omissions during reproduction based on
proprioception (when vision is turned off), amplitude of movements, as well as time
ny segments (G.I. Boryagin, 1959; M.F. Ponomarev, 1960, etc.). According to these
There are many shortcomings - about the predominance of inhibition.
These ideas are confirmed both in experiments with pharmacological
effects on humans, and in studies conducted on various emotional
onal background of a person. Thus, when subjects take caffeine, which increases arousal,
development, leads to an increase in differentiation failures (by which the expression of
intensity of inhibition) and the number and magnitude of translations during reproduction
amplitudes of movements. Taking bromine, which enhances the inhibitory process, reduces
the number of differentiation failures and increases the number of failures during reproduction
amplitude control (G.I. Boryagin, M.F. Ponomarev). In a pre-launch state
arousal, recorded both by the athletes’ self-report and by a number of physical
logical indicators (pulse, blood pressure, tremor, etc.) sharply increased
the number of translations of reproduced amplitudes of movements decreases, and in the state
lethargy (boredom, drowsiness) increases the number of shortcomings (L. D. Gissen,
I. P. Fetiskin).
Moreover, all this speaks about the relationship between excitation and inhibition in terms of their magnitude
(intensity), but not in terms of strength in the sense of endurance of the nervous system, as understood
the balance is small I. P. Pavlov. Somehow it turned out that balance was always meant in
Pavlov’s understanding of it, and no one paid attention to the fact that it is easiest (and closest
to the truth) talk about the relationship between the magnitudes of excitation and inhibition and study
the influence of this particular ratio on human behavior and activity. On the edge
At least, the methods available to physiologists and psychologists for studying the balance of nervous
processes do not give the opportunity to count on more.
The peculiarity of studying the balance between excitation and inhibition according to their
personality is that it is judged by its integral characteristic, which is
resulting from the confrontation between these two processes. Τᴀᴋᴎᴍ ᴏϬᴩᴀᴈᴏᴍ, compare-
It is not the severity of excitation or inhibition that varies from person to person, but which one
takes over another. For this reason, theoretically the same typological feature
ity in two subjects (for example, the predominance of excitation over inhibition)
may be based on different levels of excitation and inhibition.
Thus, in one subject the predominance of excitation over inhibition occurs when
high intensity of both, and in the other the predominance of excitation can
can be observed with weak expression of both.
| 37 Properties of the nervous system and hormones |
| Although psychophysiologists are still far from understanding the specific mechanisms of manifestation of typological characteristics, there is still reason to believe that they are gradually approaching this. As some, still very small, studies show, the solution to the question of the nature of the properties of the nervous system rests on the study of the typological features of the functioning of the hormonal systems of the body, i.e., a biochemical level of study of the problem of typical differences is required. There is evidence of the influence of some hormones on behavioral characteristics. For example, serotonin, a hormone of the central nervous system, affects human motor activity. Its high concentration corresponds to high activity, and low concentration leads to passivity and reduces muscle tone. Accordingly, an association is born with the peculiarities of the manifestation of typological characteristics according to the “internal” balance: aren’t the high motor activity of people with a predominance of excitation and the low motor activity of those in whom inhibition predominates a consequence of genetic differences between people in the content of this hormone? Perhaps it is no coincidence that the direction of changes in the “internal” balance in schoolchildren during the year, identified by A. P. Pinchukova (1974c), surprisingly coincides with the direction of changes in the serotonin content in the blood of schoolchildren during the school year, identified by I. A. Kornienko (both authors obtained data independently from each other, performing studies at different institutions and in different cities). It can be assumed, based on a comparison of these data, that the restriction of physical activity during the school term leads to the accumulation of serotonin, which creates an increased need for physical activity, which is also evident from the shift in the “internal” balance towards excitation. During the holidays, physical activity increases, a “discharge” of the arisen need occurs, which leads to a decrease in the concentration of serotonin and a shift in the “internal” balance towards inhibition or balance. But if the above is only an assumption, then V. S. Gorozhanin (1987) obtained direct evidence of the connection between the properties of the nervous system and hormones. Thus, in persons with a weak nervous system, a higher concentration of adrenaline, adreno-corticotropic hormone and cortisone in the blood plasma was found with a predominance of adrenaline production over norepinephrine (more than four times). Individuals with a strong nervous system are characterized by moderate levels of ACTH, cortisol and the predominance of norepinephrine production over adrenaline. Note that adrenaline is called the “anxiety hormone,” and it is no coincidence that personal anxiety, according to many data, is higher in people with a weak nervous system. Our laboratory also identified connections between strength and weakness of the nervous system and the balance between excitation and inhibition with a number of hormones. In particular, a predominance of adrenaline production over norepinephrine was found in individuals with a weak nervous system, which confirms the data of V. S. Gorozhanin. One can also cite the evidence of M. Carruthers, who for 20 years studied the hormonal levels of hundreds of men and women placed under stressful conditions. He found that some who did not control themselves in this situation released epinephrine, a hormone that causes anxiety. Those who controlled themselves produced the hormone norepinephrine, which causes pleasure and makes stressful moments pleasant. Now let’s remember what characteristic is inherent in people with a strong nervous system: “And he, rebellious, asks for storms, as if there is peace in storms” (M. Yu. Lermontov). It is possible that individuals with a strong nervous system are those who produce norepinephrine during stressful situations, and those with a weak nervous system are those who produce epinephrine in the same situation. |
38 AGE AND SEX FEATURES
MANIFESTATIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM PROPERTIES
Contrary to popular belief that typological features
properties of the nervous system, as well as temperament, remain unchanged throughout life -
we, research shows that this is far from true. A number of studies have revealed that they
change during different age periods of human development.
Change in the strength of the nervous system. According to A.P. Kryuchkova and I.M. Ostrov-
Skaya (1957), by the end of the child’s first year of life, the strength of the nervous system increases
there is. V. E. Chudnovsky (1963) notes that preschoolers have a weak nervous
a system that is weaker the younger the children are. Τᴀᴋᴎᴍ ᴏϬᴩᴀᴈᴏᴍ, already from these
data suggests that the older the children are, the stronger their nervous system becomes.
Changes in the mobility of nervous processes.
A more complete picture of age-related changes in the level of excitation mobility
and inhibition (according to the duration of the aftereffect reaction) is presented in the works
N. E. Vysotskaya (1972), A. G. Pinchukova (1974a) and Zh. E. Firileva (1974), who examined a total of about 2,500 people. These authors obtained one and
the same pattern: a decrease in the level of excitation mobility from 6-7 years to -
8-9 years, then increased mobility during puberty (11-14 years), but
a further, but less pronounced decrease in the level of mobility from 14 to 16 years and some
stabilization at the age of -17-20 years (Fig. 5.9). Almost the same dynamics can be observed in relation to the mobility of braking.
Noteworthy is the fact that among boys 7-16 years old the number of people with
high mobility of both excitation and inhibition is greater than among girls
It can be assumed that the increase in the number of children aged 6-7 years identified in a number of studies
with high mobility of nervous processes (compared to 5-year-olds and 8-9-year-olds)
children) is also associated with a hormonal surge, since at this age, according to
according to age-related physiology, the production of male hormones in the body increases
sex hormone.
Changing the balance of nervous processes owls Regarding age-related changes in balance
nervous processes, there are also conflicting data, largely related to
differences in methodological techniques for studying it. Some authors note the presence
the presence of a large number of children with a predominance of arousal during sexual intercourse
maturation (G.P. Antonova, 1968; A.I. Shlemin, 1968; P.P. Balevsky, 1963), what is
makes it difficult for these children to form differentiations in the development of conditioned ref-
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Theory of androgyny - concept and types. Classification and features of the category "Theory of Androgyny" 2017, 2018.
Sexual liberation allows modern people to find new ways of self-expression. Androgyny is condemned by many people, since this phenomenon is as incomprehensible and meaningless as the tendency of people to show off their bodies or advertise their sexuality. There are many different theories that try to explain what androgyny is and why a person needs it.
All living things are divided into male and female. A human being is born belonging to a particular gender. Children are divided into boys and girls, who then grow into men and women.
The division into male and female is not only a physiological aspect. The body of each sex is designed to match its appearance: women change their mood under the influence of hormones, men get excited at the sight of beautiful ladies. Physiologically, people are similar to each other, only they differ in certain parts of the body and functions that help them attract each other and reproduce.
At the psychological level, people are also divided into men and women. This is connected not so much with the influence of physiology, but with the morals and rules of education of each sex. Society treats boys and girls differently. Already from childhood, every person begins to experience the attitude that parents show towards each gender. Girls may be pampered and boys may be punished; girls can be taught to live a slave existence, and boys can be trained to achieve career heights.
All living things are divided into male and female. The phenomenon of androgyny is an attempt by people to combine opposites into one whole.
If you answer the question of what androgyny is, then you should learn about a myth that tells about ancient times. Once upon a time, androgynes lived on Earth - people who were both men and women in one person. They were complete individuals who could already satisfy all their needs. However, at some point the gods became angry with them, since androgynes were perfect and absolutely happy creatures. They divided people into two halves - male and female, which is why people now have to look for their soul mate all their lives in order to become full-fledged individuals.
Based on the myth, androgynes are people who combine both masculine and feminine. Since there is no way for a man to be born and still have all the physiological signs of the female sex, or vice versa, modern man shows his androgyny in a different way.
In myth, people already gave birth with female and male genitals. Modern man cannot do this. He is born either male or female. Therefore, other ways to show your androgyny are used:
Use light makeup to give yourself a feminine look.
Wearing clothes that, neither in color, nor in style, nor in appearance, can tell others who is in front of them - a man or a woman.
Letting hair grow to shoulder level or below.
Thinness.
Soft gestures. Etc.
Depending on what an individual lacks, he adds it to his image to become neither a man nor a woman, but something in between. There was even such a term as “middle sex” or “unisex”, when both a man and a woman look and behave the same.
It should be emphasized that physically people continue to remain men or women. However, at the level of habits, worldview and other aspects, they are not distinguished by distinctive male or female properties.
There is no need to talk about the appearance of male and female genital organs and functions in the body at once. A modern androgyne is a being who exhibits both masculine and feminine qualities at the social and psychological levels.
Where did this phenomenon come from? Many sociologists refer to the fact that the equalization of women and men in rights has led to the fact that their social life has changed and led to mixing. Modern women already have the right not only to work, but also to serve in the army. Modern men can take maternity leave to care for a child if a woman wants to earn money.
If previously there were clearly established boundaries and rules of what was feminine and masculine, today these boundaries have been erased. Now men are allowed to do what women do, and women are allowed to do everything that men are allowed to do. Androgyny in the modern world is a demonstration of feminine and masculine traits purely at the psychological or behavioral levels.
Androgyny is a consequence of a person’s denial of his gender and the desire to combine the qualities of both sexes. Boys and girls are raised differently:
Boys should be powerful, risk-taking, aggressive, leading, strong, assertive, independent, ambitious.
Girls are raised to be emotional, gentle, soft, passive, shy, calm, quiet individuals.
However, as they grow and under the influence of media propaganda, many begin to develop qualities that are inherent to the opposite sex. A woman is forced to become aggressive and assertive if she wants to achieve success in school/work. A man is forced to be soft and romantic if he wants to build a long relationship with the opposite sex.
Previously, it was believed that a healthy person is a person who, by his character, habits and lifestyle, is absolutely consistent with his gender. A modern healthy person is healthy if she does not interfere with the freedom and life of those around her with her actions and decisions. At the same time, she can do whatever she wants with herself.
What are the pros and cons of androgyny?
1. The advantages of androgyny can be identified in the fact that a person becomes more flexible in various circumstances. He does not limit himself in actions and decisions just because this is not characteristic of his gender. He fully realizes his entire inner potential.
2. The disadvantages of androgyny include the loneliness of such a person. It is difficult for her to find a loved one, because it is not clear who he should be - a man or a woman. Difficulties arise in communicating with the opposite sex, and simply with all people. It should be understood that androgyny is not a sexual orientation, but simply a way of life.
Androgyny theory
Androgyny originates from Plato's stories about androgynes, who were separated into male and female by the gods so that they would not encroach on their property. Since then, a man and a woman have been looking for each other to become complete. The first theoretical knowledge began to appear from the manuscripts of Sandra Bem and Carl Jung.
Jung believed that a person is initially born at the psychic level as both a man and a woman. Only at the physiological level does he belong to a certain gender. However, the feminine and masculine principles are inherent in absolutely all people at the psychological level. Only under the influence of education and public opinion does a person abandon what does not belong to his sex and develop what is encouraged by society.
Sandra Bem believed that androgyny allows a person to become more adapted to society. In 1970, she suggested that there is no opposition or mutual exclusion in gender roles. The man and woman in every person are ideally united and not interchangeable.
Tests were also conducted to determine the level of presence of feminine and masculine traits in each person.
Androgynes showed that they had both feminine and masculine qualities.
Those who identified themselves as female had feminine traits (while masculine qualities were at a low level of development).
Masculine traits were possessed by those who identified themselves as male (while female qualities were undeveloped).
Undifferentiated individuals were considered to be those who had both masculine and feminine traits at a low level of development.
S. Bem believed that the most adapted person is a person who does not divide his qualities into masculine and feminine, but shows them as necessary. If a person isolates himself from everything that is not inherent to his gender, then he becomes less adapted.
Psychological androgyny
Androgyny is explained by modern psychologists as the combination of both masculine and feminine in one person, with regard to his social behavior, roles and psychological aspects. What traits a person will have depends on:
1. The upbringing and roles of the parents, whom the baby observed and whose manners he adopted.
2. From society, which influences with its advertising, opinion and directions.
3. From biological inclinations. This aspect has less influence, but it still exists.
Every person is born androgynous at the mental level. He is neither male nor female. This aspect is determined after a person has been educated and trained for many years. On a physiological level, he belongs to a specific gender. However, what qualities he will have and the role he will occupy in society is already determined over time.
Every person has both masculine and feminine nature. Psychologists believe that a more complete person is a person who exhibits the qualities of both sexes. If a person ignores what is attributed to the opposite sex, then he becomes closed and limited. An immature personality becomes a person who has not developed either the masculine or feminine principles.
It is androgyny that allows a person to flexibly adapt to the world around him. Circumstances arise different. Difficulties and problems appear when a person does not allow himself to perform actions or show emotions that the opposite sex would show in a similar situation, while they ideally solve them. When a person begins to divide into “mine” and “not mine,” then frames, boundaries, and restrictions arise that do not help him live fully.
Bottom line
Androgyny is a broad concept. Some people change their appearance to look like neither men nor women. Androgyny at the mental level makes a person more flexible to surrounding circumstances, allows him to feel full and harmonious. Bottom line: outwardly you can remain representatives of your gender, but internally be androgynous.
Androgyny is not considered a deviation from the norm. The androgyne becomes more free. He has the choice to decide for himself how to react, what to prefer and how to act in any situation, which has nothing to do with his gender.