Influence of gender and media on gender roles

Question 1

Definition of culture.

Answer 1

Ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular group of people or society.

Question 2

What does the cross-cultural research contribute to?

Answer 2

The nature-nurture debate.

Question 3

Explain Margeret Mead’s research into gender roles in other cultures.

Answer 3

• Studied 3 cultural groups on the Island of Samoa.
• Arapesh: gentle and responsive (similar to the stereotype that of femininity)
• Mundugumour: aggressive and hostile (simialr to the stereotype of masculinity)
• Tcahmbuli women: dominant and organised village life, the men were seen as ‘deocrative’ (the reverse of the stereotypes)
• Suggests that there may not be a biological link between sex and gender and that gender roles are culturally determined.

Question 4

Explain David Buss’ study. (cultural similarities, nature)

Answer 4

• Found consistent mate preferences in 37 countries across all continents.
• Women sought men who could offer wealth and resources whilst men looked for youthfulness and physical attractiveness.

Question 5

A strength of culture on changing gender roles is supported by evidence.

Answer 5

• Hofstede argues that in industrialised cultures the changing status and expectations of women are a result of their increasing role in the workplace.
• Led to a breakdown of traditional stereotypes in industrialised societies.
• Suggests that gender roles are very much determined by cultural context.

Question 6

A limitation of culture on changing gender roles is that Meads research has been criticised.

Answer 6

• Has been accused of making generalisations based on a short period study.
• Has been argued that Mead’s findings were flawed as she had been misled by participants, and that her preconceptions of what she would find had been influenced by her reading of events (observer bias and enthnocentrism).
• Suggests that Mead’s interpretations may not have been objective and calls into question the conclusions that she drew.

Question 7

How does media influence gender roles?

Answer 7

Provides role models that children may want to identify with and imitate.

Question 8

What research is there that shows the media provides rigid stereotypes? (Furnham and Farragher)

Answer 8

• Studied TV adverts.
• Men were more likely to be shown in professional settings whereas women were often seen in domestic settings.
• Suggests that the media may play a role in reinforcing wide-spread stereotypes.

Question 9

What is self-efficacy?

Answer 9

When children see other people perform gender-appropriate behaviours, it increases a childs belief that they are capable of carrying out such behaviours in the future.

Question 10

One strength of research into media influence on gender roles is that it has a theoretical basis?

Answer 10

• Cultivation theory says that the more a person spends time ‘living’ in the media world, the more they see this as reality.
• Bond and Drogos: a positive correlation between watching the show Jersey Shore and permissive attitudes towards sex.
• Suggests that the media ‘cultivates’ perception of reality and this affects gender behaviour.

Question 11

One limitation of gender roles and the media is that there may not be a causal relationship.

Answer 11

• Durkin: argues that even young children aren’t passive and uncritical recipients of media messages.
• Norms within the family may be more influential on the child’s gender attitudes and behaviour.
• Suggests the media influences are secondary to other influences, such as family.