Theoretical Perspectives on Gender. Gender Identity. Gender Identity. Gender Identity. Middle Childhood. Sense of being masculine or feminine

Transcription

1 Sense of being masculine or feminine Well established by preschool years Theoretical Perspectives on Gender Biological Inborn, genetic factors produce gender differences By age 2 years: Consistently label themselves and others as boy or girl Cognitive Gender schemes form lens through which world is viewed Social learning Gender related behavior learned from observations of others behaviors Gender vs. Biological Sex Biological sex: Whether we are classified as male or female at birth Gender: Inferences we make about the qualities/characteristics of masculinity and femininity Gender vs. Biological Sex Biological sex: Whether we are classified as boy or girl at birth Gender: Inferences we make about the qualities of males and females Gender-role Development The process through which children acquire the characteristics and behaviors prescribed for males and females in their cultures 1

2 Gender Stereotypes Gender Stereotypes Instrumental Expressive Gender Stereotypes Instrumental Expressive Children s knowledge of gender stereotypes Girls play with girls, boys with boys Girls prefer girl toys, boys prefer boy toys Pretend play involves stereotyped roles Younger children are more rigid in their stereotypes VIDEO (Early Childhood Gender) Different chromosomes, reproductive systems & levels of hormones Females more mature at birth Males more likely to be miscarried, die in infancy & carry hereditary disease Females walk, talk & reach other motor milestones sooner Females reach puberty sooner Males reach greater height, weight & muscle mass 2

3 Gender and Play Differences noted in play of male and female preschoolers Males: More rough and tumble play Same sex playmate preference around 3 Females: Organized games and role playing Same sex playmate preference around 2 Social Learning Perspective on Gender Gender related behaviors and expectations learned from observing others Books, media, television perpetuate gender related behavior and expectations Cognitive Perspective on Gender Gender schema or cognitive framework organizes relevant gender information Preschoolers begin developing rules about what is right and what is inappropriate for males and females Bem There, Done That Sandra Bem and androgynous children Encouraged to follow gender roles that encompass characteristics thought typical of both sexes Male-appropriate and female-appropriate traits 3

4 Test of Spatial Skills Cognition & Mental Abilities Language abilities Spatial abilities Sex Differences Cognition & Mental Abilities Language abilities Spatial abilities Math abilities 4

5 Sex Differences in Mental Abilities Skill Verbal Performance Girls do better from early ages, throughout school Biological Influences Girls: advantage in left hemisphere of brain Environmental Influences Parents talk more to girls Language arts considered feminine. Cognition Social Behaviors & Personality Differences Math Boys better at abstract reasoning, mathematical problem solving Gap larger at higher levels, although shrinking Boys: better numerical memory, spatial reasoning Right hemisphere might be more active Mathematics considered masculine. Parents view boys as better at math Social Behaviors & Personality Differences Boys are more Physically aggressive Biological influences? Androgen hormones Environmental influences? Family Consequences of aggression Peers 5

6 Social Behaviors & Personality Differences Girls are more Relationally aggressive Emotionally sensitive But behavior differences small Compliant (social influence) Dependent Likely to Suffer Depression Cognition Social Behaviors So, why do stereotypical beliefs still exist? Socialization of stereotypes Parents Peers Schools and Teachers The media (EXAMPLE) Cognition Social Behaviors So, why do stereotypical beliefs still exist? Socialization of stereotypes Biology Evolutionary adaptiveness Cross-cultural similarities (but note differences!) Hormones 6