Visits:  Hit Counter
The Masculine Role Inventory (MRI)
by
Dr. William E. Snell, Jr.

This page shows a copy of the Masculine Role Inventory (MRI).

 

MRI

OPINION INVENTORY: The items below inquire about some of your attitudes and opinions. For each item indicate how much you agree or disagree with that statement. (As used in the following statements, the phrase close relationship refers to the interactions that take place between two people who choose to see each other on a relatively exclusive basis.) Use the following scale for your responses:
A = Strongly Disagree.
B = Slightly Disagree.
C = Neither Agree nor Disagree.
D = Slightly Agree.
E = Strongly Agree.

1. Close relationships can detract from career developments.
2. I don't devote too much time to personal relationships.
3. A close relationship may cause others to think I lack success potential.
4. I avoid discussing my feelings because others might think I am weak.
5. Even if I have known someone for a long time, I still prefer not to talk about the more private aspects of myself.
6. I sometimes assume an indifferent attitude toward loving someone, otherwise people might consider me immature.
7. I am somewhat hesitant to commit myself to another person.
8. A successful career means more to me than a successful close relationship.
9. It is impractical for people to make long-range commitments in a close relationship, until they have started a career.
10. I would be tempted to end a relationship if my partner asked me to devote any more time to her/him.
11. There are career drawbacks associated with investing oneself in a relationship.
12. It is easy for me to express feelings openly to someone close to me.
13. I don't search for too much personal fulfillment from a relationship with another person, because of the potential costs to my ambitions.
14. If I committed myself to another person, I would not have enough time to wholeheartedly pursue a career.
15. I prefer not to be emotionally involved with another person.
16. There are professional costs associated with sustaining a close relationship.
17. Strong involvement in a love relationship will ultimately interfere with career activities.
18. It's costly to admit that one is emotionally upset.
19. If people thought of me as a sensitive person, they might exploit me.
20. A person would be wise not to display any affection for his/her friends.
21. I would feel uncomfortable about my future, if others thought I was sensitive.
22. If people knew how strongly I respond to other's feelings, they would consider me a "soft" person.
23. I would prefer that others not think of me as a kind person.
24. People who are sensitive cannot become effective leaders.
25. In order to become a successful person, it's important not to show emotional weakness.
26. People cannot succeed in business unless they suppress their sensitivity to other people's feelings.
27. If I were involved in an affectionate relationship, I would not have enough time left over to develop a career.
28. If others know how you really feel, your career can be hurt.
29. People who cry will not get anywhere in the working world.
30. I am comfortable with the idea of committing myself to another person.
.

Copyright - 1996
Scoring Instructions for 
the Masculine Role Inventory (MRI)


The Masculine Role Inventory (MRI) consists of three subscales.
The labels, descriptions, and items for each of these subscales are listed below:
I. SUCCESS PREOCCUPATION SUBSCALE:
1. Close relationships can detract from career developments.
11. There are career drawbacks associated with investing oneself in a relationship.
14. If I committed myself to another person, I would not have enough time to wholeheartedly pursue a career.
16. There are professional costs associated with sustaining a close relationship.
17. Strong involvement in a love relationship will ultimately interfere with career activities.
II. RESTRICTIVE EMOTIONALITY SUBSCALE:
4. I avoid discussing my feelings because others might think I am weak.
6. I sometimes assume an indifferent attitude toward loving someone, otherwise people might consider me immature.
18. It's costly to admit that one is emotionally upset.
19. If people thought of me as a sensitive person, they might exploit me.
20. A person would be wise not to display any affection for his/her friends.
21. I would feel uncomfortable about my future, if others thought I was sensitive.
22. If people knew how strongly I respond to other's feelings, they would consider me a "soft" person.
23. I would prefer that others not think of me as a kind person.
24. People who are sensitive cannot become effective leaders.
25. In order to become a successful person, it's important not to show emotional weakness.
26. People cannot succeed in business unless they suppress their sensitivity to other people's feelings.
28. If others know how you really feel, your career can be hurt.
29. People who cry will not get anywhere in the working world.
III. INHIBITED AFFECTION SUBSCALE:
2. I don't devote too much time to personal relationships.
7. I am somewhat hesitant to commit myself to another person.
8. A successful career means more to me than a successful close relationship.
10. I would be tempted to end a relationship if my partner asked me to devote any more time to her/him.
13. I don't search for too much personal fulfillment from a relationship with another person, because of the potential costs to my ambitions.
15. I prefer not to be emotionally involved with another person.
30. I am comfortable with the idea of committing myself to another person. (R)
CODING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MRI ITEMS
INSTRUCTIONS: Each and every item is coded so that: Agree = +2, Slightly Agree = +1, Neither Agree Nor Disagree = 0, Slightly Disagree = -1, and Disagree = -2.  Item #30 is then reversed scored. The items on each subscale are then averaged, so that more extreme positive (negative) scores correspond to greater agreement (disagreement) with the aspects of the traditional male tendencies measured by each subscale on the Masculine Role Inventory-I.
.
Permission is granted to individuals to use
 the Masculine Role Inventory (MRI) for research purposes.
Permission granted by William E. Snell, Jr. on February 18, 1997.

RETURN to Dr. Snell's Homepage.

This site was last updated on Sunday, June 17, 2007 .
Department of Psychology, SE Missouri State University
Send comments and inquires to wesnell@semovm.semo.edu

Copyright @ 1997 to Dr. William E. Snell, Jr.