The Influence of Culture and Media on Gender Roles Flashcards
What were the 3 tribes Mead visited?
The Arapesh, Mundugomor and Tchambuli
What were the Arapesh like?
Everyone was gentle and responsive
What were the Mundugumor like?
Everyone was aggressive and hostile
What were the Tchambuli like?
Women were dominant and organised village life - men were passive and considered to be decorative.
What does Mead’s research suggest about gender roles?
There is no link between sex and gender, that gender is culturally determined. Mead argued that the extent to which innate behaviours are expressed is largely the result of cultural norms.
What is the study by David Buss?
Found consistent patterns in mate preference across 37 cultures - women sought men who offered wealth and resources and men sought women who offered youth and beauty.
How does the media reinforce rigid gender stereotypes?
Bussey and Bandura found that media provide clear stereotypes - men are independent, ambitious advice-givers whilst women are dependent, unambitious advice-seekers.
What is the limitations - Criticisms of Mead’s research?
Mead’s research has been criticised for not separating her own opinions from her depiction of Samoan life and for making sweeping generalisations based on a short study period. Freeman was highly critical and conducted a follow-up study. He found that Mead had been misled by her participants, and her preconceptions influenced her reading of events.
What is the limitation - imposed etic?
Cross-cultural research is typically conducted by Western researchers who consider indigenous people objects of study. There is a danger that theories composed in the West are looking for evidence to support Western theories - therefore invalidating the research.
What is the limitation - nature/nurture?
Although cross-cultural research can provide insight into the different cultural practices, it doesn’t solve the debate. In reality it is practically and theoretically impossible to separate the two. As soon as a child is born, their socialisation begins and all the gender-role expectations come with it.
