content area B3- gender Flashcards
Gender fluid=
not having a fixed gender
Transgender=
a person whose gender does not correspond with their birth sex
Gender=
the label of being male or female, AS DISTINCT from biological sex
refers to the psychological/social or cultural aspects of being either male or female. The extent to which you feel either female or male.
Binary=
describes a choice of two states. A person can only be male and female.
Androgyny=
displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality
cognitive approach and gender
Gender bias =
What is it= the differential treatment and or representation of males and females based on stereotypes and not real differences
Two types =
alpha bias
beta bias
alpha bias =
theories which exaggerate the differences between males and females
Binary perspective= men and women are encouraged to identify more closely with their gender. Usually devalues women in relation to men. Creates a sense of abnormality- people who don’t conform to traditional gender categories are seen as disordered.
Beta bias-
Refers to theories which ignore or minimize sex differences and assume that the findings of male studies and behaviour can be applied to females.
Beta bias is discriminatory and prejudicial because it doesn’t acknowledge the different needs of men and women. Everyone should be able to fit into a male dominated society.
Confirmation bias-
tendency to focus on information that confirms existing beliefs. It’s much easier to ignore challenging information and accept inequality. For example, conforming to a job associated with a gender. (midwifery= female)
Schemas=
Information that is consistent with our gender is more likely to be stored and remembered
Example=
if a woman believes engineering is for men and nursing is for women. She will only pick out information about nursing and ignore engineering (adding to her gender schema).
cognitive priming and gender
Sex role stereotypes-=
fixed views people have of men’s roles and women’s roles. Often based on “traditional” views. May have been reinforced through socialization.
. Stereotypes make you more ready to see the world in a way that fits your preconceived views (priming)
example=
Example= the gender stereotypes that you believe in prime you to expect gender related behaviours. For example, if you are asked to draw a picture of a nurse you might be more likely to draw a woman.
Weakness-
definition of alpha and beta bias are problematic- we should be neither beta or alpha biased as both are inaccurate ways of understanding gender which is too complex to be fully explained by focusing on just similarities or differences. Instead, we should acknowledge both forms of bias and except that there are some important similarities and differences between gender identities of all kinds. Therefore, both forms of bias are equally misleading, and we should avoid favoring one or the other.
social approach and gender
peer influences
conformity
culture
Gender segregation=
The tendency for children to form friendships and social groups primarily with same gender-peers.
Same gender peers contribute with gender identity- acting as models for gender typical behaviour.
the role of NSI/ISI in peer influence -
Peers exert normative social influence – they provide norms of gender typical behaviors for others to conform to. “We don’t play with dolls, there for girls!”
. This can also be understood as informational social influence – peers are a source of information about gender related behaviour. Individuals believe what the peer says is the truth and they are a reliable source so conform to the gender stereotype.
1) Gender typicality=
2) what does it make some children realise ?
1) Gender typicality= the extent to which a person feels like they are like other members of their gender category. To judge their typicality the individual compares themselves to their same sex peers.
2) This process is what makes youth aware they are transgender. As they realize their expressed gender doesn’t align with their birth sex. They experience gender dysphoria.
Conformity’s influence on gender
social pressure
gender non-conformity
social pressure=
social pressure =
adolescents may feel social pressure to conform to norms associated with their gender. They may experience pressure from parents, teachers and peers. Such as pressure not to behave in a gender atypical way.
impact on those who don’t conform=
Gender non-conformity
feeling pressure from others is a major cause of stress and anxiety for adolescents who do not conform to typical gender role norms.
This is because they are trying to cope with a role that many still feel is socially unacceptable.
Negative outcomes for non-conforming adolescents involve bullying and rejection
culture and gender=
Cultures differ in the extent in which gender is considered binary.
. several cultures use the term “third gender”. For people who do not fit the strict classification of women or man
evaluation
strength= research supports
Geert Hofstede-
women in industrialised cultures have increasingly active roles in the work place and away from a domestic environment.
This had lead to a break down of traditional stereotypes in industrialised societies. SO the status of women and expectations of their gender role has changed
This suggests that gender roles are strongly influenced by culture.
evaluation
weakness
gender-non-conformity
The social approach does not explain gender-non-conformity very well.
Most people in most cultures spend their lives with people who conform to gender norms and roles.
Social influence such as NSI tend towards gender conformity. If these influences really are powerful it is hard to explain how some individuals become non-conforming.
Perhaps a cognitive element is required and social influences depend on how we percieve them or think about them
This suggest other approaches may be a better explanation of the nature of gender.
behaviorism and social learning theory
gender is a results of ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS
what does SLT argue =
we learn gender roles from observational learning and imitation of role models (same sex)
. the behaviour is most likely to be imitated when they observe the model being rewarded in some way for behaving in a gender-typical manner. (vicarious reinforcement)
by imitating and observing reinforcement we internalise new beahviours and gender roles
what does Skinner state about gender
gender roles and typical behaviours can be learnt directly through operant conditioning.
children receive positive reinforcement for behaving in a gender typical way (strengthening the behaviour) and negative reinforcement for behaving in gender-inapropriate ways.
a boy might be praised for playing with trucks and criticized for playing with dolls, while a girl might be praised for playing with dolls and criticized for playing with trucks.
weakness of behaviorism and social learning theory explanation of gender -
suggesting beahviour is due to conditioning alone is simplistic / reductionist.
as it breaks behaviour down into smaller parts to understand it
this means that cognition/social influences on behaviour are ignored
strength-
Cultural Variability=
these theories can account for variations in gender expressions across different cultures, as different cultures may have different expectations about gender roles and behaviors.
Some cultures, like those in Madagascar, the Philippines, and some Indigenous North American communities, recognize more than two genders
biological approaches explanation to aggression=
role of hormones
role of chromosomes
evolutionary explanation
what are the three hormones that influence our gender=
testosterone
Oestrogen
Oxytocin
how does testostirone relate to gender=
production of testostirone in the womb in triggered by the SRY gene. This triggers the masculinisation of the embryo
what can sometimes happen
gentically female foetuses can be exposed to to much testosterone causing a condition called
cogenital adrenal hyplasia (CAH)
this can effect gender identity and cause dyspohoria as it can lead to masculanised genitalia and brain development
how does oestrogen relate to gender=
it is one of the main female sex hormones
plays a key role in female sexual developement and reproductive health
how does oxytocin relate to gender=
natural hormone that stimulates uteral contractions in childbirth
affects how women bond with their children as well as both the male and female reproductive systems
how does evolution explain gender=
In the past males competed for females by a process called intra-sexual selection.
The most dominant males mated most often. Genes contributing to male domination were passed from generation to generation
In the past men and women adopted different roles – this was called the division of labour
Men were resourceful to provide for females (hunters)
Females were the gatherers to avoid being killed during hunting
Role of chromosomes in gender=
Abnormal chromosome patterns can affect Gender, One condition is Called Turner’s Syndrome
A girl with Turner syndrome only has 1 normal X sex chromosome, rather than the usual 2.
While females with Turner’s syndrome are assigned female at birth, they may experience gender identity issues or have different views on their gender expression.
this is because the condition causes underdeveloped ovaries. they may not begin sexual development or fully develop breasts
research supports
strength
. David Reimer was in a accident that damaged his penis. The doctors suggested his penis be removed and for him to be raised as a girl.They reasoned he was still young enough to make a succesful transition.
As he grew he demonstrated a preference to his brothers toys and masculine behaviour. He became deeply unhappy and suicidal. At this point his parents informed him of his true gender and he reverted back to being male.
This highlights how social factors may not be as important as we thin for gender identity. as his biological strucuture seemed to out weight his environment.
weakness=
the biological approach steers towards the view that gender is binary . However this is contradicted by evidence of a third gender in some cultures.
example- the fa-afine of Somoa are biologically male but choose to adopt female gender role. they dress as women and perform domestic tasks. and care for the family.
This culturaly accepted gender fluidity is hard for the biological approach to explain
