Communication, Gender & Culture

 What is Theory?  A way to describe, explain and predict relationship among phenomena  We use theories to explain what happens to us

 Biological- The theory that biological characteristics of the sexes are the basis of gender  This theory maintains that biological characteristics of the sexes are the basis of gender differences. X and Y chromosones

 Genes for intelligence, for social skills  Hormonal Influences  Brain structure and development

 Interpersonal theory of gender development  Psychodynamic Theory- The theory that family relationships, especially between mother and child during the formative years of life, have a pivotal and continuing impact on the development of self, particularly gender identity.  Relationships within the family

 Interpersonal theory of gender development  Role Modeling and Gender identity  Mothers, daughters, sons

 Interpersonal theory of gender development  Psychological y-Social learning theory  Theory that individuals learn to be masculine and feminine (among other things)  by observing and imitating others and by reacting to the rewards and  punishments others give in response to imitative behaviors

 Interpersonal theory of gender development  Imitation  Develop Gender patterns socially approved  Role modeling of parents and others

 Interpersonal theory of gender development  Cognitive development theory- A developmental theory according to which children participate in defining their genders by acting on internal motivations to be competent, which in turn lead them to seek out gender models that help them to sculpt their own femininity or masculinity.

 Interpersonal theory of gender development  Age 3: Gender constancy -A person’s understanding, which usually develops by 3 years of age, that her or his sex is relatively fixed and unchanging  Motivated Internal desire  Children seek role models and play an active role

 Cultural Theories of Gender  Anthropology- examples from afar  Symbolic Interactionism- George H. Mead- The theory that individuals develop self-identity and an understanding of social life, values, and codes of conduct through communicative interactions with others in a society.

 Cultural Theories of Gender  Role- Social definitions of expected behaviors and the values associated with them,  internalized by individuals in the process of socialization.  Roles set for women and men- values associated with roles  Gender roles

 Cultural Theories of Gender  Standpoint theory- A theory that focuses on the influence of gender, race, class, and other social  categories on circumstances of people’s lives, especially their social positions and the kinds of experiences fostered within those positions. According to standpoint theory, a person’s standpoint (social location) shapes his or her  understanding and behavior.

 Standpoint theory-  Social world consists of positions and hierarchies  Gender influences positions and hierarchies

 As we move from day to day we find ourselves wondering how and why we think the way we do. Is it our culture that has effects this? Our gender? Our age? Where we live?  Think about your relationship with your parents- how were your connections with your father & mother different? If you have siblings of the opposite sex-- how were their relationships different from yours?

 Think of various gender stereotypes. How can some of these views hurt men, women, and society?  2. How do we learn about gender and gender stereotypes? What agents of socialization are responsible for teaching us about gender throughout our lives? What sources serve to maintain gender stereotypes?