1. The biosocial approach to gender development

2. Learning objectives Explain what is meant by biosocial theory
Be able to describe how concepts of gender are constructed
Understand the critique of gender research offered by social constructionists.

3. Social constructionist theory
The way people see and understand the world is constructed.
There is no objective reality.
Social context must always be taken into account.

4. Interpretation of biological sex influences the way a child is treated.
The way the child is treated leads to the development of gender role behaviour and gender identity.

5. Labelling
Labelling a baby as ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ influences behaviour towards the baby.
Smith and Lloyd (1978) found the same baby was treated differently depending on how they were dressed and the name they had.

6. Masculinity and femininity
Ideas about ‘manliness’ and ‘womanliness’ are different between cultures
And change over time.

7. Social role theory Eagly and Wood (1999)
Men and women are assigned to roles
Man = hunter
Woman = homemaker
Due to physical differences
Psychological differences (aggressive, empathiser) follow.

8. Debate
If the differences are brought about due to selective pressure (evolutionary theory) –
They are for the purpose of survival
Are innate
They are biologically determined
If the differences are socially constructed
They are more flexible (free will)

9. Key points and research
Be aware of the David Reimer case study
And how this suggests that gender identity is biologically determined
Which goes against Money and Erhardt’s theory
The biosocial theory argues that behaivoural differences arise from interactions between biology and socialisation

10. Key points continued
Social constructionist argue that ideas about gender are made rather than biologically programmed.
Language is important
Media is important
Changes between cultures and over time