PSY1004 WEEK 5 Flashcards
definition for gender
typically assigned at birth in line with biological sex, however gender tends to refer to broader social construct that take into account psychological, behavioural, social and cultural aspects that may change over time
definition for biological sex
assigned at birth, determined by chromosomes, genitalia and hormones, based on these characteristics a child may be categorised as a woman, man or intersex at birth
define gender-typing/gender expression
processes by which adopt observable behaviours in line with our construction of gender
explain biopsychosocial model of gender
our gender-typed preference and behaviours result from combined influence of biological, psychological and sociocultural processes
what are Kohlberg 3 stage of gender development (provide an overview)
cognitive gender development suggests gender concept develops from those around through observation and practice
believe that as children cognitively develop, as does gender driven by their natural maturation, through 3 stages
explain first stage of gender development theory by Kohlberg - gender identity (2-3 years)
label self and other as boys and girl based on external appearance. don’t understand difference between biological sex and gender and that both tend to be stable
explain third stage of Kohlberg gender development theory - gender constancy (6-7 years)
understand identity invariant despite appearance/clothes/ activity changes
not expected to adopt consistent gender-typed behaviour until start of third stage
seek same-sex playmates, gender-typed behaviour, activities associated with gender
seek and identify with same-sex models
explain second stage of Kohlberg gender development model - gender stability (4-5 years)
they recognise that gender remains consistent over time however is still based on appearances
why is gender constancy key to developing gendered behaviour
cognitive consistency is gratifying so attempt to behave in way consistent with self-conception
provide evidence for Kohlberg 3 stage theory
- cross-cultural evidence - from samples USA, Kenya, Belize, Nepal
- found children with low gender constancy played with both same-sex opposite-sex modelled toys, but high gender consistent child less likely to play with opposite-sex toy
give evidence against Kohlberg 3 stages
children show this before attaining gender consistency:
1. modelling behaviour of same-sex model
2. reward peers for gender-appropriate behaviours
3. play with stereopyical toys
what does biological theory for gender suggest
result from hormone
define androgen
group of hormones affecting physical development and are present at higher levels in men than women
what do fluctuations in androgens do
results in influenced behaviours - increases androgen levels in response to threat so increases aggression
define androgen insensitivity syndromes (AIS)
occurs in genetic males who have malfunctioning androgen receptors leading to external characteristics that are associated with women. people with AIS are more likely to identify as female
define congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
affects adrenal glands. genetic females develop males genitalia. girls with CAH more likely to prefer physical play + play fighting
give arguement for biological accounts
focus on transgender individuals, proposes neurological and genetic basis for gender-typing/identity:
1. trans child prefer gender-type behaviours matching gender identity early
2. discrepancy between assigned gender and gender identity is early and not able to be altered through parenting
3. twins more likely to have a concordant gender identity
4. multiple gene implicate gender identities development
provide arguements against the biological accounts
- causal link between hormones, genes and beahviours not been established
- difficult to separate hormonal and genetic influences from social ones
- biological sex is complicated, different aspects contributing to gender development in differing aspects
explain Freud’s approach to gender identity
psychoanalytic assumptions, Oedipus/elektra complex, stage theory
lack falsifiability, very subjective, doesn;t account for single parent children
explain social cognitive theory for gender typing
personal factors (cognitive, motivational and biological processes)
behavioural patterns (engaging in gender typed behaviour)
environmental factors (social influences encountered in everyday life)
what does social cognitive theory propose that gender-typed behaviour develop
- tuition
- through enactive experiences- guide our own behaviour by considering others reaction
- observational learning: watch others the consequences for their behaviours
what is gender-similarity hypothesis
meta-analysis results found there are very small effects or 0 in female-male gender differences on multiple domains (strength, leadership, moral reasoning…)
the only ones with a significant response were throwing speed and distance, sexuality, physical aggression
“males and females are more alike than different, greater difference within gender”
explain the gender differences in mathematical thinking
smaller % STEM women due to stereotypes
children view boys/girl as equal math ability but view adult men as better than women
fathers estimate higher son IQ
gender difference emerges later in adolescnce, only among higher achievers on difficult tasks
girls shower higher math anxiety with tuition or biological factors like following taught procedures
explain gender differences in aggression
physical aggression emerge around 1, but non-significant difference in toddlers, only in childhood
girls use indirect due to biological, sociocognitive and taught factor
explain indirect aggression and why it is more common for girls
relational aggressive acts by manipulating peer relationships and damaging target’s social position
biological = lower strength so rely on other mean
sociocognitive = smaller and closer peer group
tuition = actively discouraged direct aggression
what does spatial skill include?
involves comparing, manipulating, transforming mental picture
define mental rotation
visualise a model in differing orientations
define spatial perception
determining spatial relations of objects with respect to one’s own body
define spatial visualisation
being able to visualise spatially presented information
why is there a gender difference in spatial skills
boy greater experience in spatially complex environment, correlational research in ppting in ball sports and spatial skill
