chapter 13- gender differences Flashcards
what is the definition of sex?
biological attributes including chromosomes, gene expression, hormone levels and reproductive anatomy
eg. male or female
are gender and sex the same thing?
no
the perception of the self as relatively masculine, feminine, both or neither on a wide spectrum is known as
gender identity
what is cisgender?
identify with gender assigned at birth
what is the reflection of stereotypes in daily behaviour called?
gender roles
what are instrumental traits?
reflecting rationality, competence and assertiveness typically regarded as masculine (construction worker)
what are expressive traits?
emphasizing warmth, caring and sensitivity reflecting femininity (nurse)
your ideas about gender are shaped by….
your cultures beliefs
what is androgony?
coexistence of both instrumental and expressive traits in a person
- more flex than ind who are strongly gender type
what were the results of taylor et al?
physical properties - expected baby to acquire physical props associated with it biological sex
behavioural props - all participants at all ages claimed greater flexibility in behavioural properties for girls over boys (girls more likely to take on masculine traits)
what are some factors to the idea of flexible views of gender?
- increased age
- girls see male traits as more attractive and higher status
- social class
- ethnicity
what are some physical gender diff?
- boys larger than girls (outperform them)
- girls have more fat and less muscle
- boys more active than girls (gets ancy more easily)
- ## girls tend to be healthier
who is more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and language problems?
boys
what are the gender diff in intellectual and achievement abilities?
- girls have larger vocab and more talkative
- left hemisphere matures quicker in girls
- girls and boys equal now at standardized testing
- girls more skilled at effortful control
what is mental rotation in terms of spatial ability?
ability to imagine how an object will look after it has been moved in space
- boys better at this (represent evolutionary adaptation for males and right hem of brain more specialized for spatial processing
what are the gender diff in personality and social behaviour?
- boys more aggressive (androgens make men more excited and easily angered
- girls use aggression more in terms of hurting someones reputation in social groups
- girls better express emotions (nature vs nurture)
- girls more persuadable
- girls more depressed (more social pressures and influences)
what is the social learning view?
importance of social interactions and observational learning in shaping human behavior
what are the 2 processes of the social learning view?
- modelling = children observe and imitate others
- differential reinforcement = modify behavior by selectively reinforcing specific behaviors while ignoring or even punishing others
- used for engaging and reinforcing in gender appropriate behaviour
how does the treatment of parents affect children’s learning?
younger children get more direct training of gender roles than older children
- shown through bedroom decor, toys
- fathers tend to encourage the roles social constructed to fit with each gender
- mothers respond based on child’s ind needs
- children who are exposed to non-stereotype adult models are less traditional in their beliefs (girls with male dominant)
how does the treatment of teachers affect children’s learning?
- tend to act in ways that maintain and extend gender roles taught at home
eg. “i wish the boys would quiet down like the girls” - segregating groups into boys and girls
how does the treatment of peers affect children’s learning?
- positively reinforce each other for gender appropriate play
- disapprove gender role violations
- boys ridiculed and teased and receive harsher treatment
who do boys and girls differ in their styles of influence?
boys : commands, threats, physical force (constricting)
girls : polite requests, concern for partner’s needs (enabling) - ineffective when used on boys
how do some believe that contrasting styles has an evolutionary basis?
boys - establishing ones rank among males as the top males have better access to mates and better resources needed to offspring
girls - women traditionally left their own communities to live in husbands community (affiliative behaviours)
how does the media affect children’s learning?
- male characters have outnumbered the female characters in tv and movies
family films: 28% female
children’s shows: 31% female
- this ratio between men and women are gradually getting closer
