Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: standardization and normative data in a sample of the Basque Country

The main goal of this study was to standardize the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory. With regard to this goal, the study analyzes differences in sexism as a function of gender, age, and educational level, exploring the correlations among the scales of the inventory and their factor structure. The sample comprises 5313 participants (2581 men and 2795 women), aged 14 to 70 years, from the Basque Country (Spain). The results confirm significantly higher scores in the men in hostile sexism in all age groups, and in benevolent sexism up to 54 years of age. Sexism increases with age but not linearly; a high score was observed between 14 and 18 years of age, which progressively decreased until the age of 54, and it subsequently increased, with the highest scores observed between 64 and 70 years of age. Inverse relations between sexism and educational level were found. The correlations between the two forms of sexism and the factor structure of the test were confirmed. The study contributes normative data to assess sexism in the Basque Country.