The Future of Sex and Gender in Psychology: Five Challenges to the Gender Binary” by Hyde, Bigler Flashcards
What traditional view of gender has shaped psychological science?
Psychology traditionally adopted a binary view, categorizing humans strictly as male or female, with specific roles and characteristics for each gender.
How has recent activism challenged the gender binary in psychology?
Activism from transgender and intersex communities, along with new scientific research, highlights that the binary view does not encompass the full diversity of gender identities.
What is the difference between “sex” and “gender” as discussed in the article?
Sex” refers to biological differences, often based on chromosomes, while “gender” involves sociocultural norms and expectations related to masculinity and femininity.
What term is used to describe the blending of biological and sociocultural factors in gender?
The term “gender/sex” is used to recognize the inseparability of biological and sociocultural aspects of gender
How does neuroscience challenge the concept of “male” and “female” brains?
Neuroscience shows significant overlap between male and female brains, revealing a mosaic of traits common to both rather than two distinct brain types.
What is a “gender mosaic” in brain structure?
: A “gender mosaic” means that individuals display a mix of male-typical and female-typical brain features, challenging the idea of strictly male or female brains.
: What common misconception about hormones is challenged by research in behavioral neuroendocrinology?
The misconception that hormones like testosterone and estrogen are specific to one sex is challenged; both hormones are present in all individuals and influenced by social and environmental factors.
How does testosterone’s variability challenge the gender binary?
Testosterone levels vary based on social context (e.g., competition, relationships), showing that it is not fixed or exclusive to men, which undermines the idea of testosterone as a strict biological marker of maleness.
What does the “gender similarities hypothesis” propose?
The gender similarities hypothesis proposes that men and women are more similar than different on most psychological variables, with few exceptions like aggression and certain sexual behaviors.
How do meta-analyses support the gender similarities hypothesis?
Meta-analyses show that most gender differences are small or trivial, with large overlaps between male and female traits, challenging the binary view of psychological traits.
: What role do transgender and nonbinary identities play in challenging the gender binary?
Transgender and nonbinary identities show that gender identity does not always align with birth-assigned sex, challenging the assumption that everyone fits into male or female categories.
Q: How do nonbinary identities specifically undermine the gender binary?
: Nonbinary identities encompass experiences that fall outside male or female categories, showing that gender is not strictly binary
What distinction do transgender experiences highlight in terms of gender?
Transgender experiences show that “being gender” (identifying as a gender) is separate from “doing gender” (expressing gender through behaviors), emphasizing that gender identity and expression are not always linked to birth-assigned categories.
What does developmental psychology reveal about gender categorization in children?
: Developmental psychology suggests that children learn to categorize gender based on societal influences rather than innate tendencies, challenging the binary’s natural basis.
How does the concept of “developmental intergroup theory” relate to gender?
Developmental intergroup theory posits that children categorize and stereotype others based on societal cues, suggesting that the focus on gender as a key identity is learned from environmental influences.
How does perceptual discrimination influence children’s understanding of gender?
Social markers (like clothing and hairstyles) make gender perceptually distinct, encouraging children to view gender as an important binary category when these markers are present.
Why is language important in reinforcing the gender binary?
Language, including gendered pronouns and labels, teaches children to think in binary terms about gender, which influences their understanding of gender as a fixed characteristic.
What recommendation does the article make for future psychological research on gender?
The article suggests that future research should adopt non-binary perspectives to better understand diverse gender identities and move away from binary-based assumptions.
How might a non-binary perspective benefit clinical practice in psychology?
A non-binary perspective can help clinicians recognize and support a broader range of gender identities, leading to more inclusive and effective mental health care.
What are some costs of relying on a strict gender binary in society?
: The gender binary can marginalize nonbinary and transgender individuals, limit personal expression, and restrict scientific understanding by oversimplifying gender diversity.
