gender Flashcards
Define sex and gender
Sex= biological status determined by chromosomes, cannot be changed
Gender= Psychological & cultural differences e.g attitudes, behaviour, social roles, can be changed
What are sex role stereotypes?
Shared set of expectations that people within a culture/society hold about acceptable behaviour for men/women.
- studies can support social learning theory of gender, parents/media sustain stereotypical expectations
What is gender identity disorder?
biologically predisposed sex does not reflect the way an individual feels and identifies (gender reassignment surgery)
Define androgyny:
A personality type characterised by a balance of masculine and feminine traits.
How is androgyny measured?
Bem’s sex role inventory
- 20 masculine characteristics (competitive/aggressive)
- 20 feminine (loyal/gentle)
- 20 neutral (happy/friendly)
- respondents rate themselves 1-7 (never true- always true)
- scores classified into 2 dimensions
1. masculinity- femininity
2. androgenous- undifferentiated
Evaluate androgyny and the BSRI:
- cultural and historical bias, 40 years ago, behaviours changed, stereotypical ideas lack temporal validity. scale devised by panel of judges from the US, norms may differ across cultures
+ valid and reliable, 50 male, 50 female judges rate 200 traits on desirability. highest scores became traits. Pilot with 1000 students, findings corresponded with their description of gender identity (small sample later, test retest reliability)
- Oversimplifies a complex concept, reduced to a simple score (reductionist) (Golombok/ Fivush) gender identity is a more global concept , broader issues have to be considered e.g interests and abilities
what is the role of chromosomes in sex and gender?
46 chromosomes, 23 pairs
23rd pair determines sex
structure for females: XX
structure for males: XY
sex determined by sperm
girl if carries X, boy if Y
Y chromosome carries SRY, causing testes to develop producing androgens
what is the role of hormones in sex and gender?
hormones cause development of reproductive organs, during puberty hormonal activity triggers secondary sexual characteristics. Males & females produce many same hormones but in different concentrations
Role of testosterone, oestrogen and oxytocin:
Testosterone: male hormone, 8 weeks of foetal development. Nanne van dee poll et al, female rats injected testosterone, more aggressive
Oestrogen: menstruation +PMS (heightened emotions) used in defence cases
Oxytocin: women produce more, stimulates lactation, reduces cortisol, released after birth. ‘love hormone’
Evaluate the role of chromosomes and hormones
+ Supporting evidence, case of David Reimer, can’t just be the environmental influence, suffered psychological problems
- Contradictory evidence, Tricker et al, 43 male pps injection of T or placebo, after 10 weeks, no significant difference in aggression (double blind)
- Oversimplifies, complex
reductionist, ignore other explanations like cognitive factors (thoughts) or early childhood (psychodynamic)
What are Atypical sex chromosome patterns?
Any sex chromosome pattern deviating from the usual formation
What is klinefelters syndrome?
biological males, additional X, XXY
Physical: reduced body hair, breast development, clumsiness
Psychological: poor language skills, passive, shy, lack interest in sex
What is turners syndrome?
Biological females only have one X chromosome
Physical: no menstrual cycle, infertile, broad chest, webbed neck
Psychological: high reading ability, socially immature, lower maths skills
Evaluate Atypical sex chromosome patterns:
+ research has practical application, australian study, 87 klinefelters, treated at young age significant benefits compared to in adulthood (Herlihy et al)
+ contributes, nature nurture debate. compare to typical individuals, see differences as a result of a biological basis, abnormal chromosome structure (innate)
- unrepresentative sample, lack of generalisability. treated differently, difficult to assess nature and nurture (behaviour and psychological differences)
What is kohlbergs theory?
A childs understanding of gender develops through age, with intellectual development
What are kohlbergs stages?
1, Gender identity: age 2-3, identify themselves girl or boy. identify others as well
2, Gender stability: age 4-5 realisation gender is fixed, can get confused by others differences in appearance (man with long hair)
3, Gender constancy: age 6, gender consistent across all situations, not fooled by appearance, still may regard as unusual
Evaluate Kohlbergs theory
- Constancy not supported, demonstrate behaviour before achieved. Bussey + Bandura, age 4 felt good playing with gender appro toys, bad doing opposite. Contradicts Kohlbergs theory.
+ evidence support stages, Slaby + Frey, split screen images, male + female, same tasks. constancy, looked same sex model, Kohlberg correct valid.
- Methodological issues, interviews with young children, cant express views, lack verbal ability. Not a true representation.
What is gender schema theory?
Martin & Halverson
- beliefs & expectations relating to gender based on experience
- occurs after establishing gender identity
- (contrasts with Kohlberg, gender constancy)
- age 6, child has fixed stereotypes on gender appropriate behaviours, disregard what doesn’t fit
What are ingroups and outgroups?
- better understanding of schema appropriate to own gender (ingroup). boosts self esteem
- less attention to info not relevant to identity (outgroups)
- schema develops for both age 8
Evaluate gender schema theory:
+ supporting evidence, under 6, remember photos of gender consistent rather than inconsistent behaviour, tested week later. Change sex of person with inconsistent when recalled. supporting distortion
+ explains childrens thoughts about gender. hold rigid attitudes, ignore info that conflicts with existing schema
- Campbell et al, not the only factor in developing gender although children had an idea of gender & stereotypes, didn’t stop them from doing nonstereotypical behaviours.
What is the psychodynamic explanation of gender?
Freud:
- phallic stage, where gender development occurs
- experience electra or oedipus complex
- crucial in forming gender identity
What is the electra and oedipus complex?
electra:
- girls experience penis envy (castrated)
-mother competition for fathers love
- substitute for desire to have children, identify with mother
oedipus:
- boys incestuous feelings towards mother
- jealous hatred for father
- castration anxiety for his feelings towards mother
- identifys with father to resolve conflict
What is identification and internalisation?
identification:
- wanting to associate with a person because of desirable characteristics
(same sex parent resolve conflict)
internalisation:
- adopting these attitudes, received a second hand gender identity
Evaluate psychodynamic explanation of gender development
- lack of scientific rigour
concepts unconscious & untestable, subjective. pseudoscientific, cant be falsified - research doesnt support the need for nuclear family
Golombok, et al, children from single parent families develop normal gender identities (socially sensitive criticise other family types)
