What component of attitudes is measured by the gender role attitude scale?

The gender role attitude scale primarily measures the cognitive component of attitudes. This component entails the beliefs and thoughts individuals hold about gender roles, including perceptions and judgments related to the expectations of men and women in society. The scale assesses how strongly individuals endorse traditional or egalitarian views regarding gender roles.

While the affective component involves emotions and feelings related to an attitude, and the behavioral component focuses on actions and intentions related to that attitude, the cognitive component specifically captures the beliefs and mental evaluations that individuals have concerning gender roles. The social component is more about the influence of society and cultural norms on attitudes, but the scale itself directly measures cognitive beliefs about gender roles, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.