Sex and gender

Question 1

How is the terms sex and gender used in society?

Answer 1

Used interchangeably in society
- Suggests theyre the same thing

Question 2

How do most psychologists view sex?

Answer 2

• Sex and Gender are separate concepts
• Sex refers to biological status
• Determined by a pair of sex chromosomes (XX = Female and XY = Male)
• Chromosomes influence differences in hormones, reproductive organs, body shape, hair growth etc
• Based on NATURE
• Assigned at birth, cannot be changed

Question 3

What is Gender is psychology?

Answer 3

• A persons psychosocial status
• Either masculine or feminine
• Includes attitudes, behavior and roles that we associate with males and females
• Heavily influenced by social norms/expectations
• Based on NURTURE
• Not fixed, fluid and open to change

Question 4

Give a few examples of sex role stereotypes

Answer 4

• Getting the kids dressed: female
• Put up a shelf: male
• Pack bags: female

Question 5

What are sex role stereotypes?

Answer 5

Set of shared expectations that people in society or culture have about what is usual for males or females
- No biological reason why these apply to either sex
- Communicated throughout society
- Often reinforced by parents, peers, the media and schools
- Stereotypes lead to sexist assumptions
- Lots of studies on stereotyping support the social learning theory of gender