Gender - culture and media Flashcards
what is media
communication channels like TV, film, books, etc. that make news, entertainment, education and data available
how does the media shape gender
provides role models who people may identify with and want to imitate
how is the media damaging to our views of gender
can reinforce rigid stereotypes
what is the bechdel test
if two women in a piece of media can have a conversation about a topic that isn’t a man
Furnham and Farragher (2000)
men are usually in power positions in advertising and women are usually in domestic roles. voiceovers of adverts are also usually male and so suggests that males are seen to speak w more authority
McGhee and Frueh (1980)
people who watch a lot of TV are more likely to display gender-stereotypical views and behaviour
how does media contribute to motivation and self-efficacy in gender development (SLT)
- gives information about likely success of adopting these behaviours
- seeing others carry out behaviours increases child’s belief that they can carry out the behaviour
Pingree (1978)
gender stereotyping reduced when children shown TV adverts featuring women in non-stereotypical roles
strengths of the influence of media on gender development
+ media can be used to promote non-traditional gender roles
+ supports SLT explanation of gender
+ research support
- correlation not causation: does media shape society or mirror it?
- impossible to create control groups that are not exposed to media
how does Lewis et al’s recent research (2021) show gender bias in the media
showed most children’s books are still androcentric, with male activities seen as norm/neutral. beta bias. girls books are more specifically for girls
what is culture
the ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular group of people or society
what would universal features in cross-cultural research of gender suggest
gender has an innate basis and would support the nature view
what would culturally specific features in cross-cultural research of gender suggest
gender is learned and supports the nurture view
interactionist approach to gender
gender differences are caused by innate tendencies that are modified by environmental factors
Margaret Mead (1935) ethnographic study
lived with various tribes in New Guinea for six months
Mead’s findings
In one tribe, both men and women were feminine -> expressive, caring, co-operative.
In another tribe, both sexes were masculine -> assertive, arrogant and fierce.
In another tribe, females were independent and took care of tribe. Men sat around gossiping.
Mead’s conclusions
- no direct link between sex and gender -> gender roles depend on culture
- extent to which innate behaviours are expressed are the result of cultural norms
Malinowski (1929)
studied Trobriand islanders
Malinowski findings
- Trobriand women = highly sexually aggressive. rape men and boast about this to enhance reputation
- oedipus complex is not universal -> lack of relationship with biological paternity figure. envy uncle as want power rather than sexual envy
David Buss (1995)
studied 37 countries. pts rated importance of characteristics of potential mate. males rate good loooks and youth as important. women look for financial prospects. (universal features)
strengths of culture’s influence on gender development
+ shows how globalisation may be contributing to reduction in gender differences. implying that cultural influences are stronger than biological ones
+ case studies contributed to scientific study of sex and gender
+ Buss had a large sample size making it more generalisable and representative of the population
limitations of culture’s influence on gender development
- researcher bias
- imposed etic
- Malinowski racist views
- Malinowski’s data was reanalysed and found strong presence of oedipus complex
- lacks temporal validity
- language barrier
- subjectivity is lost due to being too involved in study