The Chameleon Syndrome: A Social Psychological Dimension of the Female Sex Role.

This study assesses the incidence and social correlates of the female form of the Chameleon Syndrome--an accommodative response to an environment perceived as hostile to inaappropriate sex role behavior--among a sample of American adolescents. The subjects are 3200 adolescent females and males attending junior and senior high schools in three upstate New York cities. An empirical measure of the female version of the Chameleon Syndrome is developed from responses to a group-administered questionnaire. The data show mean Chameleon Syndrome Index (female form) scores to be significantly higher among females than males. Girls whose parents are restrictive and controlling and who emphasize interpersonal relationships tend to have high Chameleon Syndrome scores. Superficial heterosexual relationships were found conducive to the development of the Chameleon Syndrome in females. The Chameleon Syndrome score among girls is also positively related to a desire to marry early and have children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]