Cultural variations in sex-typing

The sex-typing of 581 Fiji secondary school and 240 university students was measured using the Personal Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ). Same-sex-typing is less marked in Fiji than in the United States, and there are no differences between the sexes in sex-typing patterns. Minor ethnic group variations among Fiji students occur. University students, especially females, are more similar to their United States counterparts than are secondary school students. The pattern of intercorrelations of PAQ scales suggests a different definition of sex roles in the two countries. The use of the PAQ to tap meaningful cultural differences is discussed.Portions of this research were funded by Grant No. P-798-R-7 from Lafayette College's Committee on Advanced Study and Research. The author's appreciation goes to members of the School of Education at the University of the South Pacific for their helpfulness during the course of this research, as well as to the Ministry of Education and to the principal of the five secondary schools studied.