gender paper 3 quo Flashcards
Outline social factors that may influence gender roles.
The first social factor that might influence gender is observational learning this is because as a child observerisly their parents behaviour that gender behaviour can be vicariously reinforced leading to them picking up that gender role.
The second one is media through observation of watching tv of people that identify with it leads to them devloping the same gender role as to the person they are watching as they want to be like the role model
Joey has stolen a bag of sweets from the local shop. His friend Ross says: “My dad says that stealing is wrong and I agree with him.”
With reference to the Oedipus complex, explain why Ross agrees with his father.
1 mark for stating that Ross has identified with his father.
AO2
One further mark for showing knowledge of what is involved in the Oedipus complex: internalised his father’s characteristics / values / behaviours; this happened in the phallic stage; resolution of conflict (castration anxiety); development of superego etc.
Explain one methodological problem in relation to this study.
One mark for identification of a relevant problem. Up to two marks for relating the problem to the study. Likely studies: Mead – Three tribes; La Fromboise; Buss etc. Likely problems: validity; researcher bias; ethnocentrism; subjectivity on the part of the researcher, lack of inter-rater reliability etc.
Identify and briefly explain one limitation of the biological approach to gender development.
Likely limitations: reductionist; crude to suggest differences in complexity of gender are a result of chromosomes without even considering the role of the environment.
Give one difference between males who have Klinefelter’s syndrome and males with typical sex chromosome patterns.
chromosomal make up; size of genitalia; limb length; differences in timings of language development, temperament, passivity, shyness etc.
Explain why psychologists study individuals with Klinefelter’s syndrome.
for comparison with individuals with typical sex chromosome patterns.
inferences may be made about the biological basis regarding gender development should there be differences found between atypical and typical sex chromosome individuals
Describe the role of chromosomes in sex and gender.
usual sex chromosome patterns for 23rd pair are XY for males and XX for females
* chromosome pattern determines levels of various hormones
* SRY gene on Y chromosome confers male sexual characteristics (eg development of testes) through production of androgens, especially testosterone
* in XX pattern, female sexual development is governed primarily by oestrogen
* brain sex is also governed by chromosomes and hormones – difference in size of sexually dimorphic nucleus in the hypothalamus between males and females
* atypical patterns include XXY – male with Klinefelter’s syndrome and XO – female with Turner’s syndrome
* indirect effects on gender eg gender roles, stereotyping etc
Outline and evaluate Freud’s explanation of gender development.
Possible content:
* Gender development occurs in the Phallic stage (age 4/5 years) through resolution of either the Oedipus or Electra complex
* Child identifies with the same-sex parent (identification with the aggressor)
* Child internalises and adopts the gender-related behaviours and attitudes of the same sex-parent
Possible evaluation points:
* Use of evidence to contradict/support Freud’s explanation eg evidence to show that children from ‘atypical’ households do not have sex-role identification problems
* Evidence to show that children show gender-typical behaviours before the age of 4/5
* Problems with any evidence that supports Freud’s theory eg Little Hans
* Understanding of gender continues to develop after the age of 4/5
* Lack of testability – related concepts (eg Oedipus complex) are unconscious therefore not falsifiable
explaining what a gender schema is
mental representation about gender-related behaviours
Explain why it would be appropriate to use unstructured interviews in this study.
an unstructured interview would allow the interviewer to respond to the answer given by a child with a specific follow-on question
*the interviewer may gain new insight / lines of enquiry not explored so far
*it would enable the researcher to explore further the reason(s) given by the child for his answer – depth and detail
*it may overcome interpretation / communication issues by allowing the child to be clear about what they are trying to say.
Credit other valid points.
Patrick works as a head baker in a bakery. As part of a work appraisal he has just completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory. His score shows that he is highly androgynous.
Explain how Patrick’s high level of androgyny might be demonstrated in his behaviour at work.
Patrick will enjoy a laugh and a joke with the other men in the workplace and will also join in with more sensitive/intimate discussions
* Patrick will be firm/authoritative with people in his team and also be sensitive/empathic when someone is unwell or stressed
* Patrick will engage in the heavy work like lifting sacks of flour and will also enjoy the more delicate tasks such as cake decorating and intricate pastry work
Name and briefly outline one syndrome associated with an atypical sex chromosome pattern.
Klinefelter’s – sex chromosome pattern of XXY, associated with cognitive difficulties eg dyslexia and behavioural passivity.
* Turner’s – sex chromosome pattern of XO, associated with high level of verbal skill.
Briefly outline the biological explanation for gender identity disorder.
1 mark – over or under-exposure to androgens in the womb (over-exposure for females, under–exposure for males) and consequent masculinisation or feminisation
Plus
1 mark – neurobiological abnormality resulting from either genes or pre-natal stress (and links to handedness)
iscuss Bem’s research into androgyny.
Bem devised the Sex Role Inventory as a measure of androgyny
* BSRI consists of 60 characteristics or traits on which respondents rate themselves on a 7-point scale
* scores translate to two dimensions – masculinity-femininity, androgynous-unclassified
* Bem suggested people who are highly androgynous are more psychologically healthy / have greater mental wellbeing than people who are strongly masculine, strongly feminine or undifferentiated
* description of relevant evidence.
