PSY1004 WEEK 5

Question 1

definition for gender

Answer 1

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

Question 2

definition for biological sex

Answer 2

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

Question 3

define gender-typing/gender expression

Answer 3

processes by which adopt observable behaviours in line with our construction of gender

Question 4

explain biopsychosocial model of gender

Answer 4

our gender-typed preference and behaviours result from combined influence of biological, psychological and sociocultural processes

Question 5

what are Kohlberg 3 stage of gender development (provide an overview)

Answer 5

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

Question 6

explain first stage of gender development theory by Kohlberg - gender identity (2-3 years)

Answer 6

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

Question 6

explain third stage of Kohlberg gender development theory - gender constancy (6-7 years)

Answer 6

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

Question 6

explain second stage of Kohlberg gender development model - gender stability (4-5 years)

Answer 6

they recognise that gender remains consistent over time however is still based on appearances

Question 7

why is gender constancy key to developing gendered behaviour

Answer 7

cognitive consistency is gratifying so attempt to behave in way consistent with self-conception

Question 8

provide evidence for Kohlberg 3 stage theory

Answer 8

1. cross-cultural evidence - from samples USA, Kenya, Belize, Nepal
2. 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

Question 8

give evidence against Kohlberg 3 stages

Answer 8

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

Question 9

what does biological theory for gender suggest

Answer 9

result from hormone

Question 10

define androgen

Answer 10

group of hormones affecting physical development and are present at higher levels in men than women

Question 11

what do fluctuations in androgens do

Answer 11

results in influenced behaviours - increases androgen levels in response to threat so increases aggression

Question 12

define androgen insensitivity syndromes (AIS)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

define congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

Answer 13

affects adrenal glands. genetic females develop males genitalia. girls with CAH more likely to prefer physical play + play fighting

Question 14

give arguement for biological accounts

Answer 14

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

Question 15

provide arguements against the biological accounts

Answer 15

1. causal link between hormones, genes and beahviours not been established
2. difficult to separate hormonal and genetic influences from social ones
3. biological sex is complicated, different aspects contributing to gender development in differing aspects

Question 16

explain Freud’s approach to gender identity

Answer 16

psychoanalytic assumptions, Oedipus/elektra complex, stage theory
lack falsifiability, very subjective, doesn;t account for single parent children

Question 17

explain social cognitive theory for gender typing

Answer 17

personal factors (cognitive, motivational and biological processes)
behavioural patterns (engaging in gender typed behaviour)
environmental factors (social influences encountered in everyday life)

Question 18

what does social cognitive theory propose that gender-typed behaviour develop

Answer 18

1. tuition
2. through enactive experiences- guide our own behaviour by considering others reaction
3. observational learning: watch others the consequences for their behaviours

Question 19

what is gender-similarity hypothesis

Answer 19

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”

Question 20

explain the gender differences in mathematical thinking

Answer 20

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

Question 21

explain gender differences in aggression

Answer 21

physical aggression emerge around 1, but non-significant difference in toddlers, only in childhood
girls use indirect due to biological, sociocognitive and taught factor

Question 22

explain indirect aggression and why it is more common for girls

Answer 22

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

Question 23

what does spatial skill include?

Answer 23

involves comparing, manipulating, transforming mental picture

Question 24

define mental rotation

Answer 24

visualise a model in differing orientations

Question 25

define spatial perception

Answer 25

determining spatial relations of objects with respect to one’s own body

Question 26

define spatial visualisation

Answer 26

being able to visualise spatially presented information

Question 27

why is there a gender difference in spatial skills

Answer 27

boy greater experience in spatially complex environment, correlational research in ppting in ball sports and spatial skill