Conflict Theory and Gender Roles

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Questions and Answers

What does the Oedipus complex involve?

Desire for sexual involvement with the same-sex parent

Desire for sexual involvement with peers

Desire for sexual involvement with the opposite-sex parent (correct)

Desire for sexual involvement with grandparents

Which stage in social learning theory involves memorizing observed behavior?

Imitation

Memory (correct)

Attention

Motivation

What primarily influences a child's acquisition of gender identity according to Social Learning Theory?

Parental influence and social interactions (correct)

Environmental factors

Cognitive abilities

Biological factors

What concept describes a girl's subconscious attraction to her father?

Electra complex Signup and view all the answers

At what stage do children begin to reproduce the observed behavior?

Imitation Signup and view all the answers

How does aggressive behavior differ in socialization between boys and girls?

Boys receive acceptance for aggression, while girls do not Signup and view all the answers

What is the final stage of development in social learning theory?

Motivation Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized as the key factor in cognitive-developmental theory?

Thought processes and internal states Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'gender roles' refer to?

The cultural expectations of how males and females should behave Signup and view all the answers

Which theory emphasizes the unconscious aspects of personality in gender identity formation?

Psychoanalytic Theory Signup and view all the answers

In Freud's psychoanalytic theory, which component of personality is responsible for moral judgment?

Superego Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'id' operate on according to Freud's framework of personality?

Pleasure principle Signup and view all the answers

According to Freud, what is the primary focus of the 'ego' in personality development?

To mediate between id demands and reality Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of gender role development does the cognitive-developmental theory focus on?

Cognitive understanding of gender categories Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with the psychoanalytic theory of gender identity?

Gender identity develops based on biological instincts and unconscious motivations Signup and view all the answers

Which psychologist is associated with the social-learning theory of gender identity development?

Albert Bandura Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for societal influences that dictate what is considered proper based on identity?

External regulations Signup and view all the answers

Which institution is NOT mentioned as reinforcing biased perceptions of gender roles?

The sports community Signup and view all the answers

What do sex stereotypes mainly pertain to?

Physical and emotional traits Signup and view all the answers

How does internalized social control affect a person's behavior?

It causes individuals to judge others for gender deviations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes compounded stereotypes?

Stereotypes that involve a mixture of sex and sexual stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is made under heteronormativity?

All persons are only attracted to the opposite sex Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of sexual stereotypes?

They enforce dominant views regarding sexual behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stereotype encompasses the behaviors expected from individuals based on their assigned gender roles?

Sex-role stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of development does the cognitive approach primarily focus on in children?

Understanding Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically recognize their gender identity according to Kohlberg's model?

Three years Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a set of rules for how social or cultural interactions should happen?

Schema Signup and view all the answers

Which chromosomes typically determine an individual's sex as female?

XX Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sperm cells in the reproductive process?

To fertilize egg cells Signup and view all the answers

Which hormone is primarily associated with female sexual characteristics?

Estrogen Signup and view all the answers

How does exposure to hormones in the womb affect an organism?

It affects gender development. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of children observing their parents' treatment of each other in terms of gender perception?

They create role models based on respect. Signup and view all the answers

What does Conflict Theory primarily assert about social problems?

Social problems occur when dominant groups mistreat subordinate ones. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Symbolic Interactionist Perspective, what is gender primarily viewed as?

A social construct performed through interactions. Signup and view all the answers

How are gender roles defined in society?

They are learned behaviors that condition expectations based on sex. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes gender equality?

It demands equal rights and opportunities irrespective of gender. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor that influences gender roles?

Age, class, race, ethnicity, and religion all affect gender roles. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'doing gender' imply?

Performing specific tasks based on assigned sex. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between gender equality and gender equity?

Gender equality focuses on sameness, while gender equity emphasizes fairness. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the essence of how society perceives gender roles?

Society teaches individuals to adhere to their assigned gender roles. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conflict Theory

Argues that social problems arise from power imbalances between dominant and subordinate groups.
Advocates for equal power between genders.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Explains human behavior through the lens of symbols in interactions.
Our identity is shaped by social interactions.
"Gender" is an action, not a fixed state, influenced by clothes, hairstyles, behavior, and expressions.
Engaging in tasks or displaying traits associated with gender roles is "doing gender".
We are always "doing gender", whether expressing masculinity or femininity.

Gender Roles

Learned behaviors and expectations associated with being male or female.
Vary across cultures and change over time.
Influenced by age, class, race, ethnicity, religion, geography, economic status, and political environment.
Reflect societal expectations for appropriate behavior based on assigned sex.
Rooted in the biological difference of childbearing.

Gender Equality and Equity

Gender equality means all individuals, regardless of sex, have equal opportunities and freedom to develop.
It does not require women and men to become the same but promotes equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.
Gender equity focuses on fairness in access to resources and opportunities.

Major Theories of Gender Identity Development

Psychoanalytic Theory (Sigmund Freud)
- Focuses on unconscious motivations and drives.
- Explains gender development through the id (basic instincts), ego (reality testing), and superego (morality).
- Id: Operates on the pleasure principle, seeking immediate gratification.
- Ego: Operates on the reality principle, finding realistic ways to satisfy the id.
- Superego: Represents internalized societal morals and values.
- Oedipus complex: A boy's subconscious attraction to his mother and rivalry with his father.
- Electra complex: A girl's subconscious attraction to her father and rivalry with her mother.
Social-Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)
- Explains gender identity through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.
- Children learn gender roles by observing and mimicking others, especially parents.
- They receive praise for culturally appropriate gender displays and punishment for inappropriate ones.
- This shapes their understanding of gender-specific behaviors.
Cognitive-Developmental Theory (Lawrence Kohlberg)
- Emphasizes the role of cognitive development in shaping gender identity.
- Children develop schemas (mental frameworks) for understanding gender, which guide their behavior.
- They differentiate their own gender by age 3 but see it as fixed by ages 5-7.
- They look for role models to emulate masculinity or femininity.

Sex vs. Gender

Sex: Refers to biological differences, including chromosomes (XX - female, XY - male), hormones, and reproductive organs.
Gender: Socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions, and identities associated with being male or female.

Gender Stereotypes

Generalized beliefs about traits, roles, and behaviors associated with genders.
Reinforced by institutions like family, church, school, state, and media.
Sex stereotypes: Physical and emotional traits attributed to men and women.
Sexual stereotypes: Assumptions about sexuality, often reinforcing dominant views.
Sex-role stereotypes: Expectations for roles and behaviors based on assigned sex.
Compounded stereotypes: Overlapping stereotypes based on gender, race, class, etc.

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Description

Explore the intersection of conflict theory and gender roles in this quiz. Learn how power imbalances shape social issues and how identity is constructed through interactions. Delve into the complexities of gender expectations influenced by various societal factors.