Gender Identity and Gender Role Development Flashcards
How many pairs of chromosomes do humans have, and which pair determines sex?
23 pairs of chromosomes, with the 23rd pair being the sex chromosomes.
What determines male sex development?
The SRY gene on the Y chromosome, which produces testosterone.
According to Skinner’s behaviorism, how is gender-related behavior shaped?
Through operant conditioning: reinforcement of approved behaviors and punishment of disapproved behaviors.
How does Social Learning Theory differ from behaviorism in terms of gender role acquisition?
It emphasizes learning through representation and observation, not just reinforcement and punishment.
In cognitive theories of gender development, what role does the child play?
Active role, constructing their own gender identity and roles through self-socialization and peer socialization.
What are the three stages of Kohlberg’s theory of gender development?
Stage 1 - Gender identity (2.5 yrs) ‘ I’m a girl but I could be a boy later’.
Stage 2 - Gender stability (3-4 yrs) ‘I will always be a girl, but if a boy wears a dress, he is a girl’.
Stage 3 - Gender Constancy (7 yrs) ‘If you’re a boy, nothing will change that’.
What factors contribute to gender identity development in early childhood?
Gender contentedness
Felt pressure
Intergroup bias
How does Parental Investment Theory explain differences in male and female mating strategies?
Women invest more in offspring, so they’re more selective; men can invest less, so they may seek more partners.
According to evolutionary psychology, why might men prefer beauty in mates?
Beauty is associated with fitness, which is important for successful reproduction and child-rearing.
What criticism is raised against evolutionary explanations of women’s preference for high-status males?
There’s no clear biological mechanism for recognizing status, and the preference may be a rational response to male-dominated societies.
Research as also shown, Women to have decreased interest in status of men, as their own status increases.
