Essay - Gender Differences

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

Biological or anatomical physical attributes

Question 2

Gender identity

Answer 2

Intrinsic sense of self as male, female or otherwise. It is a construct influenced biological, environmental and cultural factors

Question 3

Gender variance

Answer 3

Non-conformity to societal norms of assigned gender including behaviours, appearance or identity

Question 4

Gender dysphoria

Answer 4

Distress caused by discrepancy between a person’s gender identity and their natal gender

Question 5

Sexual orientation

Answer 5

Personal, romantic or physical attraction to someone of the same, opposite, both or neither sexes

Question 6

Transgender

Answer 6

Individuals with an affirmed gender identity that is different from their physical sex characteristics

Question 7

Name the three theories of gender

Answer 7

1. Biological determinism
2. Gender role socialisation theory
3. Gender as a construction

Question 8

4 characteristics of gender according to Biological determinism

Answer 8

1. Innate
2. Binary (male, female)
3. Fixed and unchanged level
4. Essentialising (that there are innate essential differences between male and female)

Question 9

Two criticisms of biological determinism

Answer 9

1. The evidence is mixed and contested

2. Difficult to separate evidence from socio-cultural constructions

Question 10

3 aspects of the gender role socialisation theory

Answer 10

1 Socialisation - socialised into being gender models we are

2. Importance of role models - parents, media
3. Informed by societal norms - different depending on country

Question 11

Criticism of the gender role socialisation theory

Answer 11

Problem with this theory is that humans are depicted as passive recipients

Question 12

What is the pre-natal gender talk study?

Answer 12

Smith is 2005 investigated whether the language and behaviour of the parent was different if they knew the gender of the baby before it was born? Yes, it did.

Question 13

When born there is not much difference between males and females in the human species. What is this called?

Answer 13

Low level sexual dismorphism

Question 14

5 aspects fo gender as a construction theory

Answer 14

1. Gender as a performance (mostly unconsciously) and/or process
2. Informed by many factors eg race, age, class, culture, sexuality
3. Learned over time
4. Contextual
5. Complex

Question 15

What is the most significant aspect of the gender as a construction theory?

Answer 15

In this theory humans have agency

Question 16

How does biological determinism see the role of humans?

Answer 16

Gender cant be challenged as it is innate

Question 17

How does gender role socialisation theory see the role of humans?

Answer 17

Difficult to challenge as there is an absence of agency. Can help with how we socialise children but there is no room for individual resistance

Question 18

How does gender as a construction theory see the role of humans?

Answer 18

What is constructed can also be deconstructed. Room for challenging oppression and seeking social justice.

Question 19

What is the problem if we see gender as innate?

Answer 19

We are likely to stereotype children and even act as police if they act outside their gender

Question 20

Describe gender psychology before the 1960s

Answer 20

Dominated by men and participants also men. Focus on cognitive sex differences to explain differences (weighing brains). It was rife with gaps, assumptions, inconsistencies, poor methodologies.

Question 21

Describe gender psychology after 1960s

Answer 21

2nd wave of feminism. Increase in gender research (multidisplinary). Shift from biological to socio-cultural explanations. Begin to question idea that gender is innate

Question 22

What are the three areas of gender development?

Answer 22

Physical
Cognitive
Emotional

Question 23

What do the physical characteristics of gender include

Answer 23

Genitalia, hormones, brain, muscle

Question 24

What do the cognitive aspects of gender include?

Answer 24

Difference in cognitive development is minimal. Appears in only a small number of tests and for low percentage of score variance.

Question 25

What do the emotional aspects of gender include?

Answer 25

Males more likely to show aggression. Females more likely to show relational aggression. Females more like to experience depression and males more likely to commit suicide.

Question 26

Why is evidence of gender difference contested and controversial.

Answer 26

There is minimal variance/none at all. Why might there be differences? What would highlighting of differences achieve?

Question 27

Name two common misconceptions of gender

Answer 27

1, That gender is innate not learned

2. That boys and girls develop differently

Question 28

Why is it a common misconception that gender is innate rather than learned?

Answer 28

Sex is biological, however it is not binary and can be altered. Gender is learned, and is influenced by a number of factors, both biological and environmental

Question 29

Do boys and girls develop differently?

Answer 29

Evidence is contested. It is a mistake to assume that a person learns a certain way because of their sex. People have learning preferences so teachers, where possible, should cater to these preferences. Think about the child and their individual needs rather than stereotyping.

Question 30

Why is stereotyping dangerous in a classroom

Answer 30

May lead to child being underdeveloped in some areas because they have been discouraged from learning

Question 31

Do we stereotype students based on their gender? Give an example

Answer 31

Yes. Uniforms, sports, subject choice, teachers treating students differently

Question 32

Should we engage in harmful stereotyping?

Answer 32

No

Question 33

Should we treat everyone the same?

Answer 33

You should understand fairness and equality, but strive for equity

Question 34

What is equity in a school situation?

Answer 34

Providing help/assistance to students where they experience inequality (disadvantage).

Question 35

Describe three societal impacts of treating people differently based on gender?

Answer 35

1. Inequality in post-school success for women. Pay gap in Australia 15.3% due to lack of female CEOs/managers, unconscious bias in hiring, sexual harassment. In same job pay gap around 5%
2. Hegemonic masculine stereotypes - don’t cry, don’t seek help, don’t talk about feelings having a negative impact on men’s health. In 2016 census data showed 2,151 males committed suicide compared to 715 females.
3. Students still choosing subjects aligned to gender stereotypes

Question 36

What is the impact of gender based inequality on gender variant students?

Answer 36

Higher rates of self harm, suicide, isolation, relationship problems, poorer post-school success, bullying, identity problems.
Higher risk of homelessness, substance abuse, self harm and suicide.
70-80% of LGBT homeless youth never sought help from a counsellopr or teacher

Question 37

What is a teachers obligation?

Answer 37

Legally and morally obligated to keep schools safe and schools are responsible. They must intervene.

Question 38

Describe one study and two outcomes regarding gender varient students

Answer 38

Jones, Smith, Ward, Dixon, Hillier & Mitchell (2016) surveyed 189 gender variant students and found that 40% said gender segregation was too often used in school pedagogy and 23% ranked school provisions as inappropriate. 65% verbally and 21% physically abused at school

Question 39

What should be wary of when you teach? (6)

Answer 39

Thinking before you act
Who are you praising and punishing
Using inclusive language
Letting the ‘other’ live - don’t force your people top define themselves in your terms.
Not thinking of factors outside school (SES, location, parents, religion)

Question 40

How can you help? (5)

Answer 40

Challenge bias and stereotypes
Become an advocate
Have no tolerance 
Vary your pedagogical techniques
Consider how your school reinforces gender stereotypes

Question 41

How can you keep learning?

Answer 41

Be a lifelong learner
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