Gender Flashcards
Sex
Biological differences between males and females including chromosomes xx or xy hormones and anatomy - genitals
Gender
The psychological and cultural differences between males and females including attitudes behaviours and social roles
Sex role stereotypes
Set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a give society or social group
Ingalhalikar
Scanned young men and women using mri
Women have better connection between left and right sides of the brain
Males have better motor skills more intense activity here
Androgyny
Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine traits in one’s personality
Bems theory
High androgyny is associated with psychological well being because they are better equipped to adapt to a range of situations
Bem sex role inventory
20x masc 20x fem 20x neutral traits
Responds ranked themselves on a 7 point scale for each word
High masc low fem= masculine
High masc high gem = androgynous
Role of chromosomes in gender
23rd pair determines biological sex
Xx female Xy male
Egg cell - X chromosome sperm either x or Y chromosome
if carry Y chromosome - SRY gene causes tested to develop and androgens
Role of hormones
Cause gender development
Hormones act on brain development and development of genitals
Puberty hormones trigger secondary sexual characteristics
Testosterone
Controls development of male sex organs in foetal development
Linked to aggression - towards rivals compete for fertile female
Hunter role
Oestrogen
Determines sexual characteristics and menstration
Heightened emotions in menstrual cycle called pms
Oxytocin
Stimulates lactation reduces cortisol and fascilitates bonding
Released during labour for mother to love baby - men produce far less naturally
Klinefelters syndrome
XXY chromosomes
Anatomical appearance of man
Reduced body hair /breast development/ underdeveloped genitals
Poor language skills / problem solving and lack interest in sexual activity
Turner’s syndrome
XO chromosome have 45 chromo instead of 46
Webbed neck set ears hips not much bigger than waist
Higher average reading ability/ socially immature/ maths tasks lower performance
Kohlbergs theory
Understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age as a result of biological maturation
Stage 1- identity
Stage 2- stability
Stage 3- constancy
Stage 1 gender identity
Age of 2 correctly identify themselves as a boy/girl
At 3 identify male or females doesn’t stretch beyond labelling
“I want to be a mummy” - boy 3 yrs old
Stage 2 gender stability
Age 4 now know their gender will not change
Cannot apply logic to other people man with long hair is a woman
Stage 3- gender constancy
Age 6 gender remains constant across time and situations
Seek gender appropriate role models to imitate
Gender stereotyping begins here
Gender schema
Organised set of beliefs related to gender that are derived from experience - guides own understanding of own gender and appropriate gender behaviour
Martin and halversons theory
Once a child establish gender identity search environment that encourages development of gender schema
Schema are likely to be formed around stereotypes - boys play with trucks etc
By 6 stereotypical idea about appropriate gender behaviour
In groups and out groups
Children have better understanding of schema appropriate to own gender - pay more attention and identity here boosts self esteem
Disregard our groups until 8 years old elaborate schema for both genders
Psychodynamic approach to gender
Prior to phallic stage no concept of gender identity
In the phallic stage experience the Oedipus/electra complex which are crucial to form gender identity
Oedipus complex
Boys develop incestuous thoughts towards mother
Hatred to father - castration anxiety
Resolve this boy gives up conflict and identifies with father
Internalises w father taking on gender identity and adopting values and attitudes
Electra complex
Girls experience penis envy
Compete w mother for fathers love
Hatred to mother - love rival and castrated by her mother during pregnancy
Substitute envy with desire to have children identifying with the mother
Internalising gender identity and her mothers attitudes and values
Social learning theory
The role that social context plays in development and states that all gender related behaviour is learned from observing others
Direct reinforcement
More likely to be praised by demonstrating gender appropriate behaviour
Differential reinforcement
Boys and girls encouraged to show distinct gender appropriate behaviour
Through this a child learns their gender identity
Vicarious reinforcement
Consequences of another persons behaviour are favourable that behaviour is more likely to be imitated
Identification SLT
Process where the child attaches themselves to a person who is seen like them or who they want to be
Usually the same sex as the child
Model behaviours demonstrated by the role model eg a girl feeding her dolls
Mediational processes
Attention
Retention
Motivation
Motor reproduction
Cultural differences research- Mead
Arapesh tribe were gentle and responsive
Mundugumor were aggressive and hostile
Tchambuli women were dominant and organised village life
May not demonstrate a a direct relationship between sex and gender - innate behaviours are expressed as a result of cultural norms
Cross culture similarities
Buss found consistent patterns in mate preference in 37 different countries
Women sought men who offer wealth and resources and male looked for young and attractive females
Media and rigid stereotypes
A study on tv adverts found men were depicted in autonomous roles within professional context whereas women were depicted in a domestic setting
Media may play a role in reinforcing wide spread gender stereotypes
Self efficacy
Seeing other people perform gender appropriate behaviour increases a child’s belief they are capable of carrying out such behaviours
Study girls and boys watch a tv show girls more likely to see them selves working outside the home - suggest self efficacy has changed
Gender dysphoria
Strong feelings of identification with the opposite gender and discomfort with one’s own assigned sex - live as members of the opposite sex
Biological - atypical gender development
Brain structure- BST larger in males than females found to be female sized in those transgender females (size of sex identify w )
Genetic factors - 62% of the variance could be accounted for via genes
39% of mz twins concordant whereas none of DZ twins were
Social explanations for atypical gender development
Social construction- gender identity is based of concepts invented by societies
Kwoluaatmol labia and clit develop into penis in puberty accepted however since in contact w west are now judged having gender dysphoria
Psychoanalytic- extreme separation anxiety before gender identity fantasises of symbiotic fusion w mother to relieve anxiety and danger of desperation is removed overly close w mother