Lecture #8

Question 1

Natal sex

Answer 1

biological categories of male and female

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

socially constructed categories of feminine and masculine

Question 3

Gender Roles

Answer 3

: societal expectations of behaviours exhibited by males and

females

Question 4

Gender typing

Answer 4

the process by which children acquire a set of behaviours

that are consistent with the gender roles specific to their culture

Question 5

Gender stereotyping

Answer 5

generalised mental representations that differentiate gender groups

Question 6

Sexual orientation

Answer 6

pattern of romantic relationships and sexual attraction

Question 7

Cisgender

Answer 7

a person whose gender identity aligns with that expected based
on the sex they were classified and assigned at birth

Question 8

Gender identity: infancy and childhood

Answer 8

• 3-4 months: distinguish male and female faces
• 12 months: distinguish male and female voices
• 24 months: identity self as boy or girl
• 2.5-3 years: verbal proof of gender
• 3 years: gender typing, preference in playmates
• 6+: gender segregation

Question 9

Gender identity: Adolescence

Answer 9

• “Gender intensification” – a magnification of differences
between males and females during early adolescence
associated with increased pressure to conform to
traditional gender roles
• Social pressures on adolescents to conform to traditional
roles may even help to explain why sex differences in
cognitive abilities sometimes become more noticeable as
children enter adolescence.
• Pressure to conform to gender stereotypes does not need
to be real – adolescents’ perceptions of their peers’
thoughts and expectations can affect behaviours and lead
to gender intensification.

Question 10

Biological Theories of Gender

Answer 10

Evolutionary psychology: gender roles are genetically
blueprinted
• Evolved over millions of years in response to
environmental demands and natural selection
• Evolutionary theories contend modern gender roles have
their roots in prehistoric male-female role differences.

Question 11

Learning theories of gender

Answer 11

• Bussey and Bandura’s social–learning theory
maintains gender roles and behaviours are learnt
through reinforcement of gender-appropriate
behaviours, modelling and children’s self-regulation of
behaviours.
• Parents exert strong influence over child’s
environment (i.e. dressing boys and girls differently
and buying sex-typed toys).
• Limitations of social learning theory: views children as
passive rather than active recipients of gender-role
influences

Question 12

Cognitive Theories

Answer 12

• Children are active processors and seekers of
gender-based information
• Kohlberg’s (1966) three-stage cognitivedevelopmental theory of gender-role
development
• Gender labelling (2.5-3 years)
• Gender stability (3.5-4.5 years)
• Gender constancy (4.5-7 years)