Sex-role Stereotypes Flashcards
Define sex-role stereotype
A set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a given society.
How are sex-role stereotypes communicated?
These expectations are communicated or transmitted through society and may be reinforced by parents, peers, the media, as well as other institutions such as school. They may lead to sexist assumptions being formed.
What study shows how stereotypes might arise?
Smith and Loyd (Baby X experiment)
Describe Smith and Loyd’s study
It involved 4-6 month old babies, who (irrespective of their actual sex) were dressed half the time in boys’ clothes and half the time in girls’ clothes. When observed interacting with adults, babies wearing ‘boy’ clothes were given a hammer-shaped rattle and encouraged to be adventurous and active. Whereas ‘girls’ were handed a cuddly doll, frequently told they were ‘pretty’ and were reinforced for being passive.
This suggests that gender-appropriate behaviour is stamped in at an early age by parents or the media which support stereotypical expectations we have of men and women in society.
List three jobs that are stereotypically male
- doctor
- firefighter
- builder
List three jobs that are stereotypically female
- teacher
- nurse
- receptionist
David was playing football in the garden when his sister Judith began to join in. “When I grow up, I want to be a footballer” said Judith. “Don’t be silly” Davies replied “girls can’t play football”.
Define the term sex role stereotype. Refer to David and Judith’s conversation in your answer.
A sex-role stereotype is a set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a given society. Judith hasn’t developed an understanding of sex-role stereotypes when she says “I want to be a footballer” whereas David has been influenced by sex role stereotypes when he says “girls can’t play football”.
