Psychology Of Gender

Bem’s Sex Role Inventory (1974) Research method: questionnaire/surveyResearch method: questionnaire/survey Sampling method: opportunitySampling method: opportunity Extraneous variables: instructionsExtraneous variables: instructions Controlled variables: order in which the characteristics are presented.Controlled variables: order in which the characteristics are presented. Ethical issues: informed consent; confidentiality; debrief.Ethical issues: informed consent; confidentiality; debrief.

Explanations of Gender: How do young children acquire their knowledge and understanding of sex and gender?How do young children acquire their knowledge and understanding of sex and gender? –I’m a boy, she’s a girl. How do young children acquire sex appropriate behaviour and beliefs?How do young children acquire sex appropriate behaviour and beliefs? –E.g. Boys play with cars, girls with dolls.

Sex A biological term meaning male or female:A biological term meaning male or female: FemaleMale XX chromosomes Oestrogen Progesterone Breasts Vagina, uterus, ovaries XY Testosterone Facial & chest hair in addition to underarm and pubic Penis, scrotum, testes

Sex Differences Biopsychologists assume that there are psychological differences between males and females:Biopsychologists assume that there are psychological differences between males and females: –personality –skills

Gender A psychological term referring to whether a person is masculine or feminine.A psychological term referring to whether a person is masculine or feminine. Gender role refers to the person’s beliefs about how a male or female should behave and is based on societies’ expectations:Gender role refers to the person’s beliefs about how a male or female should behave and is based on societies’ expectations: Personality,Personality, Preferences,Preferences, Dress,Dress, Occupation,Occupation, Appearance….Appearance….

On handout: Concepts of Gender Complete box 1: GENDER for masculinity and femininity.Complete box 1: GENDER for masculinity and femininity.

Gender Differences MasculinityMasculinity –Sport playing –Doesn’t express emotions –Strong –Wears trousers/ less interested in appearance –Less interested in arts, literature, shopping –Confident, outspoken –Competitive –Defends self: aggression –Independent Femininity –Interested in appearance –Interested in shopping & clothes –Emotional –Interested in relationships & becomes emotionally attached –Interested in children –Co-operative

Androgyny Is when an individual displays both masculine and feminine behaviour.Is when an individual displays both masculine and feminine behaviour. E.g. A girl who enjoys wearing feminine clothes and dressing up to go out, but is also interested in cars and engineering.E.g. A girl who enjoys wearing feminine clothes and dressing up to go out, but is also interested in cars and engineering. Gender can be thought of as a continuum.Gender can be thought of as a continuum.

Sex and Gender Complete box 2: Distinguish between SEX and GENDERComplete box 2: Distinguish between SEX and GENDER Sex is a biological characteristic and refers to whether the person is male (XY) or female (XX). It is fixed and cannot be changed. Gender on the other hand is a social and psychological characteristic and refers to the person’s gender role and to the expectations that society has of male and female behaviour. Gender can change.Sex is a biological characteristic and refers to whether the person is male (XY) or female (XX). It is fixed and cannot be changed. Gender on the other hand is a social and psychological characteristic and refers to the person’s gender role and to the expectations that society has of male and female behaviour. Gender can change.

Gender Identity Disorders Transsexual people believe that they are the opposite sex ‘trapped’ in the ‘wrong’ body. In other words their gender identity differs from their sex.Transsexual people believe that they are the opposite sex ‘trapped’ in the ‘wrong’ body. In other words their gender identity differs from their sex. They can undergo treatment so that their physical appearance matches their gender identity.They can undergo treatment so that their physical appearance matches their gender identity.

Sex Role Stereotypes are the expectations of society about how males and females should behave. For example:are the expectations of society about how males and females should behave. For example: –Males: strong, competitive, aggressive, interested in sport. –Females: gentle, co-operative, caring, interested in childcare and shopping.

Investigating Gender Bem (1974) designed a questionnaire to produce a measure of masculinity, femininity or androgyny.Bem (1974) designed a questionnaire to produce a measure of masculinity, femininity or androgyny. However……write up here two weaknesses of Bem’s study.However……write up here two weaknesses of Bem’s study.

Complete a describe a study sheet Bem (1974) page 45.Bem (1974) page 45. Evaluation goes in the section titled ‘Discuss a study’Evaluation goes in the section titled ‘Discuss a study’ –Self report – so may not be accurate or honest. –Participants – may not understand all of the terms –Could damage self concept. –Pps more likely to be honest than in an interview. –Gather a lot of data quickly –Can carry out further research on specific groups identified.