Gender Chapter 12: Human Adjustment John W. Santrock McGraw-Hill © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill...

Gender

Chapter 12:

Human AdjustmentJohn W. Santrock

McGraw-Hill © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

McGraw-Hill ©2006 by the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Chapter Outline

Perspectives on Gender

Gender Comparisons

Women’s and Men’s Lives


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Learning Goals

1. Define gender and explain evolutionary, social, and cognitive theories of gender

2. Discuss gender comparisons and classifications

3. Characterize women’s and men’s lives


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PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER

Defining Gender

Evolutionary Psychology Theory

Social Theories

Cognitive Theories


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Defining Gender

Gender = the psychological and social dimension of being female or male

Gender roles = sets of expectations that prescribe how females or males should act, think, or feel


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Evolutionary Psychology Theory

Evolutionary psychology theory - because of their differing roles in reproduction, adaptation during the evolution of humans produced psychological differences between males and females–Multiple sexual liaisons improves likelihood males will pass

on their genes

–Females’ contributions to gene pool was improved by securing resources for offspring


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Social Theories of Gender

Social role theory - gender differences result from the contrasting roles of women and men– In most cultures, women have less power and status than

men and they control fewer resources


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Social Theories of Gender

Psychoanalytic theory - preschool children develop sexual attraction to opposite-sex parent, then renounce attraction because of anxious feelings, and subsequently identify with same-sex parent

Social cognitive theory - children’s gender development occurs through observation and imitation, and through rewards and punishments for gender appropriate and inappropriate behavior


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Cognitive Theories of Gender

Cognitive developmental theory - children’s gender typing occurs after they think of themselves as boys and girls

Gender schema theory - gender typing emerges as children gradually develop gender schemas of what is gender-appropriate and gender-inappropriate in their culture


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Review - Learning Goal 1

–How can these two terms be defined: gender and gender roles?

–What is the evolutionary psychology theory of gender differences?

–What are three social theories of gender?

–What are two cognitive theories of gender?


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GENDER COMPARISONS

Gender Stereotypes

Gender Similarities and Differences

Masculinity, Femininity, and Androgyny


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Gender Stereotypes

Gender stereotypes = general beliefs about females and males


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Gender Stereotypes

Broverman looked at traits that college students in the 1970s believed were characteristic of males and females

Instrumental traits were associated with males - independent, aggressive, power-oriented

Expressive traits were associated with females - being warm and sensitive–These traits are unequal in terms of social states and power


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Stereotyping and Culture

Research study in 1982 found stereotyping of females and males prevalent in thirty countries–Males were believed to be dominant, independent,

aggressive, achievement oriented, and enduring

–Females were believed to be nurturing, affiliative, less esteemed, and more helpful in times of distress

More recently, traditional gender stereotypes and gender roles have been challenged, and social inequalities between men and women have diminished


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Gender Stereotypes and Ethnicity

We have stereotypes of age as well as gender We have stereotypes of gender and ethnicity


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Sexism

Prejudice and discrimination against women has a long history

Sexism = prejudice and discrimination against an individual because of his or her sex


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Physical Similarities and Differences

There are many physical differences between males and females–Females have a longer life expectancy than males

–Males have higher levels of stress hormones

–Some brain differences have been found between males and females


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Cognitive Similarities and Differences

Some research suggests boys are better at math and science

Girls are better students, and significantly better in reading

Janet Hyde (2004) argues that cognitive differences between females and males are exaggerated


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Socioemotional Similarities and Differences

Boys are more physically aggressive than girls Girls are as verbally aggressive as boys Girls show more relational aggression (behaviors such

as spreading rumors) Males usually show less self-regulation of emotions

and behavior than females


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Interpretation of Gender Differences

Traditionally, differences between males and females were interpreted as biologically-based deficiencies in females

Feminists fear research finding differences will promote stereotypes that women are inferior to men

Alice Eagly argues this fear has biased research interpretation


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Sandra Bem (1974) developed the Bem Sex-Role Inventory to measure androgyny

Androgyny = presence of a high degree of feminine and masculine characteristics in the same individual


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Individuals can be classified as having one of four gender-role orientations on Bem’s scale:–androgynous

– feminine

–masculine

–undifferentiated

Androgynous women and men are more flexible and more mentally healthy than either masculine or feminine individuals


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Gender-role transcendence = thinking about ourselves and others as people, not as masculine, feminine, or androgynous


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–What is gender stereotyping and how extensive is it?

–What are some physical, cognitive, and socioemotional differences in gender?

–What are some alternatives to classifying behavior and traits as masculine or feminine?


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WOMEN’S AND MEN’S LIVES

Women’s Lives

Men’s Lives


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Women’s Lives

In much of the world, people’s lives are governed by traditional gender roles that assign a subordinate status to women– In politics, especially in developing countries, women are

treated as burdens rather than assets

–Women’s work around the world is more limiting and narrow than men’s

Canada, the United States, and Russia have the highest percentages of educated women


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Ethnic Minority Women in the United States

For Asian-American women, gender roles found in the mainstream clash with traditions of ancestors

African-American women take time for consideration before solving problems

Mexican women assume the expressive role of homemaker and caretaker of children


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Psychological Health

U.S. women face some special stressors because they are women:–domestic violence

– rape

– sexism


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Psychological Health

Although men have increased involvement in family roles, women still bear the largest burden for housework and childcare, even when they work outside the home

Women have more dissatisfaction with their bodies


12-30Adjustment Strategies

for Women

1. Recognize your competencies

2. Pay attention to developing your self as well as your relationship

3. Don’t put up with sexism


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Men’s Lives - Ethnic Minority Males

African-American men are more likely to live in poverty Asian cultural values are reflected in traditional,

patriarchal Chinese and Japanese families Mexican men traditionally assume role of provider, with

exaggerated masculinity and aggression Some Native American tribes are patriarchal


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Role Strain

Men face role strain because male roles are contradictory and inconsistent

Men’s roles can cause strain in areas such as:–health

–male-female relationships

–male-male relationships


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Adjustment Strategies for Men

1. Understand yourself and your emotions

2. Improve your social relationships

3. Lower your health risks


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–What are characteristics of women’s lives?

–What are characteristics of men’s lives?

Gender Chapter 12: Human Adjustment John W. Santrock McGraw-Hill © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill...

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Transcript of Gender Chapter 12: Human Adjustment John W. Santrock McGraw-Hill © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill...