PSY 211 Flashcards
What is feminine psychology?
Feminine psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding the experiences, behaviors, and mental processes specific to women and girls. It examines how social, cultural, and biological factors uniquely impact women, including issues like identity, gender roles, relationships, and mental health.
How did feminine psychology emerge?
Feminine psychology emerged in the early 20th century as a critique of male-centered views in traditional psychology, particularly those espoused by Freud. Early pioneers, like Karen Horney, challenged notions such as “penis envy” by emphasizing the influence of social and cultural factors on women’s psychology. Horney introduced the concept of “womb envy” to highlight men’s feelings of inferiority regarding women’s reproductive capabilities.
What is gender conformity?
Gender conformity refers to the extent to which an individual’s behaviors, appearance, interests, and roles align with society’s expectations for their gender. These expectations are typically based on traditional views of masculinity and femininity. (Insert example) When someone conforms to these expectations, they are said to display gender conformity.
What is gender identity?
Gender identity is a person’s deeply felt sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It is an internal experience of being male, female, a blend of both, neither, or something else entirely.
What is gender expression?
Gender expression refers to the external presentation of an individual’s gender identity through behaviors, clothing, hairstyles, voice, and other forms of personal expression. It encompasses how individuals communicate their gender to the world and can include a wide range of characteristics, such as adopting traditionally masculine, feminine, or androgynous styles.
Use of empirical research in the psychology of women
Empirical research in the psychology of women helps identify patterns in women’s experiences and behaviour and is used in policy making on issues such as gender bias, discrimination, gender based violence, and workplace challenges, allowing us to develop more effective interventions tailored to women’s needs.
Differentiate between sex and gender
Sex refers to the biological and physical characteristics assigned from birth, that define males and females. These characteristics include reproductive organs, chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males), and hormones like testosterone and estrogen. Gender on the other hand refers to the roles, behaviours, expectations, and identities that societies and cultures attribute to individuals. It is a social and cultural construct and can vary across different societies and over time. In short, sex is biological while gender is a broader concept related to identity, expression, and societal roles.
