Sex and gender Flashcards
What is sex?
The biological differences between males and female including chromosomes, hormones and anatomy
What is gender?
The psychological and cultural differences between males and females including attitudes, behaviours and social roles. AKA masculine and feminine.
What is a sex role stereotype?
A set of beliefs or preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a given society.
Is sex nurture or nature? Why?
Nature- it is innate and nothing can change it.
Is gender nature or nurture? Why?
Nurture as aspects of it are determined by the environment.
Is gender open to change?
Yes, it is a learned concept but is also fluid. A person may act ‘more masculine’ or ‘more feminine’ depending on the social context they are in, and the norms and expectations associated with it.
What is gender identity disorder?
When a persons biologically prescribed sex does not reflect the way they feel inside and the gender they identify themselves as being.
How are sex role stereotypes communicated?
Throughout society and may be reinforced by parents, peers, the media, as well as other institutions such as schools.
Examples of gender stereotypical behaviour for women?
Poor drivers, cries in sad movies, spends ages getting ready.
Examples of gender stereotypical behaviour for men?
Commitment phobic, obsessed with sex, hates shopping.
Who does research into sex role stereotypes?
Smith and Lloyd
What did Smith and Lloyd find in their research into sex role stereotypes?
Mothers treat male and female babies differently based on stereotypes. Children were dressed as a boy or girl, however this may not be in line with their actual sex. If mother thought she was a with a boy - she encouraged motor activity and gender appropriate toys, with girl she handed a cuddly toy.
Conclusion about the presence of sex role stereotypes?
Adults behave in a stereotypical way towards children when the gender is ‘known’.
Evaluation of SRS?- Temporal validity
Social norms have changed and parents are more accepting of different ‘gendered’ toys and gender neutrality is more spoken about.
SRS can differ across cultures, does this suggest they are nature or nurture?
Nurture - influenced by peoples individual cultures. If it was nature, they would be the same across all cultures.
