Child development - sex and gender

Question 1

What is sex?

Answer 1

A person’s biological status - male/female

Question 2

What is gender?

Answer 2

Learned or cultural status. Masculine/feminine.

Question 3

What are the factors in gender determination?

Answer 3

Prenatal hormones, genitalia, parents and gender identity.

Question 4

What are disorders of sexual development?

Answer 4

Reproductive or sexual anatomy not standard for female or male.

Question 5

What is the parental influence on gender?

Answer 5

As role models
Through child-parent interactions
Gender-appropriate toys and activities

Question 6

What is social learning theory?

Answer 6

Rewards for ‘masculine’ behaviour and punishment for ‘feminine’ behaviour -> imitating males -> male gender identity

Question 7

What is cognitive developmental theory?

Answer 7

Male gender identity = male gender

Question 8

At what age do children acquire the concept of gender identity?

Answer 8

2-3 years

Question 9

At what age do children acquire the concept of gender stability?

Answer 9

4 years

Question 10

At what age do children acquire the concept of gender constancy?

Answer 10

4-5 years

Question 11

How are gender roles shaped?

Answer 11

Family - siblings, extended family
Peers - encourage separation, prejudice, difference
School - structure, teacher behaviour
Media - books, magazines, TV

Question 12

How far do men outnumber women in TV programmes and adverts?

Answer 12

Programmes: 2:1
Ads: 3:1

Question 13

What is the gender similarities hypothesis?

Answer 13

Review of 46 meta-analyses showed clear differences only in throwing, sexuality and physical aggression.