Final answer:
The framework by Sandra Bem for understanding gender identity through perception and interpretation of gender-linked information is known as the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI), which affirms gender as a cultural performance rather than a biological imperative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The framework proposed by Sandra Bem (1981) for processing information about oneself as a male or female through the perception and interpretation of gender-linked information is known as Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI). This inventory is designed to encapsulate individuals' understanding of their own gender identity as they evaluate themselves against traditionally masculine and feminine traits.
Bem's framework reflects a growing understanding among gender scholars that gender identity is not biologically predetermined but is instead a cultural performance and represents a social construct shaped by the norms, practices, and values of society.
The framework considers that individuals can express a wide range of gendered behaviors that may not always align neatly with the traditional male or female categories and acknowledges the fluidity of gender expression over a binary view.