7/ Gender - The influence of culture on gender roles Flashcards
what is the definition of gender roles?
behaviours and attitudes considered appropriate for one gender and inappropriate for the other.
what is the definition of culture?
rules, customs, morals and ways of interacting within a group of people and society.
if there are differences between cultures in gender role behaviour…
would imply that gender is affected by social and cultural values - supports SLT.
if there are similarities between cultures in gender role behaviour…
would imply that gender is affected by biological factors such as testosterone and evolutionary pressures.
what research has been found in cultural differences?
MEAD - In New Guinea the women displayed opposite behaviours to traditional western cultures. - women are dominant and organise the village whereas men are more emotionally dependant - shows gender is because of cultural conditioning.
what research has been done into cultural similarities? 1
found similarities in 37 different countries for one type of gender role behaviour - mate preferences. males prefer youth and physical attractiveness and women prefer wealth and resources.
what research has been done into cultural similarities? 2
WILLIAM AND BEST - universal agreement that across 30 cultures that males are perceived as dominant and independent whereas females are social and caring.
why can Meads research in cultural differences be criticised?
lacks validity because of research bias - difficult for a researcher to understand behaviour from another culture - gender may have been misinterpreted, also retrospective data because data is basically based off memory.
why can Williams and bests research in cultural similarities be criticised?
sample was from university students - not a representative sample - may have expressed same views because of age or exposure to media that accompanies a uni education.
what viewpoint may be better to explain cultural differences and similarities?
interactionist view point - both culture and biology contribute to gender development - claim that initially gender roles biologically and then later modified by social influences which explains both similarities and differences in culture.
