| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this research study was to assess the nonverbal
communication of the masculinity/femininity of selected sportswear items
to ownership, use, and endorsement of expressive and instrumental
personality traits. A total of 240 subjects enrolled in psychology
courses at East Carolina University, North Carolina Agricultural and
Technical University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro
participated in the study during the fall semester, 1983. The Personal
Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) was used to assess an individual's
endorsement of expressive and instrumental traits. The score from the
PAQ classified subjects into one of four groups: sex-typed masculine,
sex-typed feminine, androgynous, and undifferentiated. Perception, use
and ownership of apparel items were derived from administration of the
Andro Clo Instrument. Results from principal axis factor analysis
indicated that six factors (Form, Preference, Use, Image, Appearance, and
Occasion) are derived to describe sportswear apparel items. Most
variables loading on these six factors loaded exclusively on a specific
factor for one sex, ethnic or PAQ group. Comparisons of factor analyses
for the apparel categories indicated the importance of an Occasion Factor
for androgynous apparel items, an Image Factor for masculine apparel
items and a combined Preference/Image Factor for feminine apparel items.
Chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in the
masculine-feminine ratings for at least half of the 18 apparel items by
sex, ethnic, and PAQ groups. Significant differences in the use and
ownership occurred in masculine and feminine apparel items but not for
androgynous apparel items for sex, ethnic, and PAQ groups. | en_US |
