Culture And Media On Gender Roles

Question 1

If there are consistent behaviours across cultures does that indicate nature or nurture?

Answer 1

Nature

Question 2

If there are differences in behaviours across culture does that indicate nature or nurture?

Answer 2

Nurture

Question 3

Explain Mead’s research into cultural differences (nurture)

Answer 3

Papa New Guinea
Arapesh = gentle and responsive (feminine)
Mundugumor = aggressive and hostile (masculine)
Tchambuli = women dominant and organised village life

Changes due to culture not biology

Question 4

Explain Buss’s research into culture similarities (nature)

Answer 4

They found consistencies in mate preference across 37 cultures

Question 5

Explain what Munroe and Munroe found

Answer 5

That in most societies division of labour is gendered

Question 6

Describe the supporting research into culture (AO3)

Answer 6

Hofstede: industrialised cultures changing status and expectations of women. Women also have an increasing role in the workplace away from the domestic sphere. (Breakdown of stereotypes)

Although in traditional cultures women still do housework which suggests roles are down to culture

Question 7

Explain the limitations of Mead’s study (AO3)

Answer 7

Mead accused of making generalisations

Freeman: follow up study, argued mead’s findings are flawed as criticised by some of her PPS. Preconceived ideas influenced her results therefore observer bias and also ethnocentrism :(

Question 8

Describe Bussey and Bandura’s research into gender stereotypes

Answer 8

Suggested men are shown as independent and women are dependent

Question 9

Explain Furnham and Farrager’s research into gender roles

Answer 9

Analysed TV adverts

Suggested men are autonomous and professional
Women domestic and family role

Question 10

Describe Mirita et al’s research into self efficacy

Answer 10

Indian girls watched a programme on challenging gender stereotypes. After watching, the girls were more likely to see themselves outside the home and working.

Question 11

Explain the supporting evidence for media’s influence on gender roles (AO3)

Answer 11

More time and individual spends living in the media world they are more likely to believe this reflects every day society (cultivation theory)

Bond and Dragos= positive correlation between time spent watching reality TV and permissive attitudes towards casual sex

Question 12

One limitation of Media explanations of gender roles (AO3)

Answer 12

Durkin: young children are not passive and uncritical recipients of media messages

Norms within child’s family may be bigger determinant of a child’s attitudes. If media confirms existing gender norms held by the family more likely to be reinforced