1. Unit 4: Gender & Sexual Development AP Psychology

2. Gender Differences Gender -> *Gender influences our social development. MEN VS WOMEN: o o Women express emotion more freely, can smell fainter odors o o Men admit more aggression-> but physical type. Women do more verbal and shunning Some critics say this is more learned behavior than genetically predisposed!

3. Gender Roles & Gender Identity Self-Concept : Sense of identity and personal worth, completely forged by age 12 Gender Identity : -> We learn what is expected/”done” in our society. Discussion over why some seem more attuned than others to traditional roles (gender typing). US is considered moderately rigid in gender stratification: GOAL IS TO BE ANDROGYNOUS Transgender -> Gender Role : -> Varies across cultures: -nomadic v agrarian societies (little distinction in division of labor v women stay close to home) -roles in occupations/ raising children - Social Learning Theory :

4. Parents, Peers & Experiences Parents Peer influence Birth Order Does it make a difference? Articles on birth order, does it color the way parents raise their kids?? Culture The shared beliefs, attitudes, and traditions of a group of people passed down from one generation to the next A.Variations – NORMS established across cultures personal space, expressiveness, pace of life B.Variations over time…what goes around comes around 1960s to now

5. Sexual Development Puberty : Primary vs. Secondary Sex Characteristics : Primary: Body structures (ovaries, testes, etc) Secondary: Nonreproductive sexual traits (female breasts, hips/male voice change, body hair) Puberty landmarks: Female: Males: Sexuality Males = will initiate/accept casual sex; more partners; perceive warmth as “come on”, rent x movies; sex with strangers How men/women look for a mate = natural selection Men: Women:

6. Intersex Individuals, AIDS, & Teen Pregnancy Intersex Individuals: people born with combinations with both male and female characteristics. Parents will sometime have to choose which sex- reassignment surgery to have AIDS : Teen Pregnancy: ½ of US 9 th -12 th graders reported having sexual intercourse. Environmental factors contributing to teen pregnancy: ->

7. Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation : -In Europe & US- 3% of males and 1-2% of females are homosexual -In 1973, the American Psychological Association dropped homosexuality from their list of mental illnesses. -Rates of depression and suicide are higher in homosexual vs heterosexuals Where do our preferences come from? -Studies show not related to parenting, childhood sexual experiences, dating experiences. -There is same-sex attraction in other species -Brain differences? Study by LeVay-> -Homosexual men tend to have more homosexual relatives: -Men who have older brothers :