Gender Flashcards
Sex
Sex is biologically determined
XX: Females
XY: Male
Gender
Gender is a psychosocial status (nurture)
Masculine/feminine depends on social context
Gender dysphoria
Where sex and gender do not correspond
Sex role stereotypes
Androgynous
Individuals who display roughly equal levels of masculine and feminine traits/behaviours
> Individuals are androgynous are better equipped to adapt to range of situations
The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)
- Rating scale
- Rating 60 (scale 1-7)
- 20 masculine, 20 feminine, 20 natural gender traits
The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) - Conclusions
High masculine + low feminine = masculine
High feminine + low masculine = feminine
High masculine + high feminine = androgynous
Masculine traits
Self reliant
Independent
Mathematically oriented
Feminine traits
Cheerful
Affectionate
Better reading skills
Androgyny - Strength - Measured Quantitively
Bem’s: quantify dependent variable
Combine with Personal Attribute Questionaire adds another dimension
> Quantitative + qualitative approach
Androgyny - Strength - BSRI is valid & reliable
Validity
Development and of scale: 50 males, 50 females judging 200 traits
Piloting with 1000 students
Reliability
Follow up study, smaller sample size
Produced similar scores
Androgyny - Counterpoint - BSRI is valid & reliable
Stereotypical ideas of masculinity + feminist changed since BSRI developed (40 years ago)
Lack temporal validity
Androgyny - Strength - People may lack insight into their gender identity
Gender is social construct, open to interpretation
Questionnaires scoring system is subjective
May not be scientific
Biological Explanation
Sex and gender are inter-related
Gender development is determined at conception
Why are Males and Females different?
Chromosomes trigger production of hormones
Hormones -
lead to different behaviours
perform different role in reproduction
Woman: caregivers
Male: main providers
Role Of Chromosomes
Made up of DNA
46 chromosomes > 23 pairs
23 pairs are matched for males + females
23rd pair - different
eg: male: XY
female: XX
How sex is determined by chromosomal make-up
Normal egg produced: X chromosome
Half sperm: X, other half Y
Babies sex determined by sperm (fertilises egg)
Y: gene sex-determine region Y (SRY)
Produce androgens (male sex hormone)
> cases embryo to become male
Role Of Hormones
Gender development comes through development of hormones
Puberty: burst hormonal activity
- Testosterone: controls development of male sex organs
- Oestrogen: controls female sexual characteristics
- Oxytocin: women produce more than then
> Stimulates lactation
> Reduces stress
Chromosomes & Hormones - Strength - Research support for testosterone
Wang et al: 227 testosterone deficient men, gave testosterone therapy
Improved sexual function, mood and muscle strength
Chromosomes & Hormones - Counterpoint - Research support for testosterone
Increasing testosterone in healthy young men, did not increase frequency of sexual intercourse
Chromosomes & Hormones - Limitation - ignores social factors
Hofstede et al: gender roles more about social factors than biology
Individualist cultures are more masculine than collectivist cultures
Chromosomes & Hormones - Limitation - Reductionist
Reduced gender to chromosomes/hormones
Cognitive explanations: Schemas
Psychodynamic: childhood experiences
Atypical chromosomes
Difficult to establish cause and effect (correlational)
Turner’s Syndrome
XO (absence of X)
45 rather than 46
1-5000 females
Turner’s Syndrome - Physical characteristics
No menstrual cycle
> Ovaries do not develop
Do not develop breasts
Short webbed neck
Low set ears
Turner’s Syndrome - Psychological characteristics
Feminine traits:
Higher than average reading ability
Lower memory + mathematical skills
Socially immature
Klinefelter’s Syndrome
XXY (additional X)
1-600 males
Biologically male autonomy
Klinefelter’s Syndrome - Physical characteristics
Undescended testes
Undersized penis
Some breast development
Little body hair
More susceptible to breast cancer
Klinefelter’s Syndrome - Psychological characteristics
Feminine traits:
Don’t respond well to stressful situations
Lack interest in sexual activity
Passive + shy
Masculine Traits:
Poor language skills
Poor reading ability
Atypical chromosomes - Strength - Nature-Nurture
Comparing atypical with typical
Highlights psychological, behavioural differences
Have biological basis, abnormal chromosomes
Nature - powerful effect
Atypical chromosomes - Counterpoint - Nature-Nurture
Behavioural differences from social influences
People with Turner’s treated differently, as socially immature
Also nurture
Atypical chromosomes - Strength - Application to managing conditions
Study:
87 with Klinefelter’s syndrome
Those identified young, benefitted managing their condition
> Increased awareness
Atypical chromosomes - Limitation - Sampling issues
Those with serve symptoms on Klinefelter’s database
Majority of those with Klinefelter’s have no cognitive/psychological problems
>Klinefelter’s syndrome exaggerated
Kolhbergs Gender Development Theory
Cognitive theory: child thinking about gender
Changes in thinking over time
1: Gender Identity
2 years old
Identify themselves as boy/girl
Identify others as male/female
2: Gender Stability
4 years old
Gender stays the same over time
Can’t apply this to other people/situations
3: Gender Constancy
6 Years old
Gender remains constant across time/situations
Apply to themselves/others
Seek gender-appropriate role models
When does gender stereotyping occur
Gender Constancy (6 years old)
Strengths - Kolhbergs theory
- Research evidence (Damon)
Damon
Told story of boy who played with dolls
4 year old: fine
6 year old: wrong
Limitations - Kolhbergs theory
- Doesn’t consider other factors
- Gender constancy may develop earlier
- Ethnocentric
