Gender Flashcards
Sex and gender: Keyterms
Sex, Gender, Sex-role stereotype
Sex: definition
Biological differences between male and females (including chromosomes, hormones and anatomy)
Gender: definition
Psychological and cultural differences between males and females (attitudes, behaviours and social roles.
Sex-role stereotype: definition
Set of beliefs about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a given society.
Androgyny and BSRI: keyterms
Androgyny, Bem Sex Role Inventory
Androgyny: definition
Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality.
Bem Sex Role Inventory: definition
Used to measure androgyny using a rating scale of 60 traits (20 masculine, 20 feminine and 20 neutral) to produce scores across two dimensions: masculinity-femininity and androgynous- undifferentiated
BSRI: rating scale
1-7
High masculine, low feminine= masculine
High feminine, low masculine= feminine
High masculine, high feminine= androgynous
Low feminine, low masculine= undifferentiated
Androgyny and BSRI- evaluation points
- Oversimplifies a complex concept
- Measuring gender identity using questionnaires
- Cultural and historical bias
- The scale would appear to be valid and reliable
The role of chromosomes and hormones: Keyterms
- Chromosomes
- Hormone
- Testosterone
- Oestrogen
- Oxytocin
Chromosomes: definition
Found in the nucleus of living cells carrying information in the form of genes; the 23rd pair of chromosomes determines biological sex
Hormone: definition
A chemical substance circulated in the blood that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs
Testosterone: definition
A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes. Associated with aggressiveness.
Oestrogen: definition
The primary female hormone, playing an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproductive system
Oxytocin: definition
A hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation.
