Sex and attitudinal gender: A critical review and decomposition principle

Research is concerned about sex and gender effects, often addressed interchangeably. This paper reviews the distinct conceptualization and usage of these constructs with a focus on the multiple psychological components of gender. Extending social role theory concerns about how gender internalizes into individual psychology, an organizing framework is provided pointing to attitudinal gender as an overarching psychological construct including gender affect, gender cognition and gender behaviour. In a review about usage of sex and gender in individual differences research, limited conceptual distinction and inconsistent operationalizations are observed, with a shift of approach particularly in social sciences from sex to wide-ranging “gender differences” conceptualizations. We call for greater distinction between biological sex and attitudinal gender components in research reporting and design. A decomposition principle and research diagram is provided to help implement theoretical questions and empirical tests more accurately. Propositions can be followed by researchers, reviewers and practitioners to progress in the analysis and assessment of sex and gender effects.