Gender Differences: Biological vs. Biosocial

Freud proposed that men typically had stronger consciences and more social values compared to women.

Freud's theory was criticized for implying women's inferiority, emphasizing their jealousy, lack of ethics, and excessive appearance concerns.

This theory posits that male children experience anxiety, conflict, and a complex relationship with their parents during development, especially with the father.

The theory acknowledges that it might be difficult for some boys to fully detach from their mothers and identify with their fathers; this could result in their developing feminine traits.

This perspective argues that gender is not biologically determined and is instead formed through psychosexual development during childhood.

Gender roles shaped by childhood experiences leads to gender inequality. Societal expectations directly contradict the idea that gender is not biologically determined.

Freud's theory had a significant impact on popular thinking and concepts regarding gender, especially in the Western world.

The theory proposed that the process through which one develops a sense of self or a gender role arises from experiences in their early lives and psycho-social dynamics.

A school of thought in psychology that emphasizes observable behavior and learning processes, rather than internal states or instincts.

Behaviorist psychologists largely ignored sex differences and social factors, creating a psychology that didn't fully consider women's experiences.

A school of thought founded by Sigmund Freud that emphasizes the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior, particularly early childhood experiences.

Freud believed that a child's awareness of physical differences between boys and girls leads to feelings of inadequacy and identification with the same-sex parent.

A boy's unconscious attraction to his mother and rivalry with his father during the phallic stage of psychosexual development.

A child's resolution of the psychosexual conflict during development by adopting the values and behaviors of the same-sex parent.

Freud's theories have had a significant and lasting impact on how we understand gender, personality, and mental health, despite criticisms.

This approach views gender differences as primarily biological, rooted in evolution, and thus largely unchangeable. It emphasizes fixed biological differences between men and women that influence behavior and roles.

This approach takes a broader view, recognizing both biological and social influences on gender. It considers how social factors shape gender roles and expectations, even within the context of biological differences.

A fundamental debate in psychology concerning the relative influence of biological factors ('nature') and environmental factors ('nurture') on human development and gender roles.

Maximalists believe in significant and pervasive differences between men and women, while Minimalists emphasize fewer, more subtle differences.

A school of psychology focused on the structure of the mind, studying adult mental processes through introspection. They were not initially concerned with individual differences, including gender.

While not explicitly stating women were inferior, structuralists focused on a 'generalized adult mind' which was inadvertently a 'male mind' due to the male-dominated field.

Early psychological schools, like structuralism, often overlooked or excluded female experiences. This contributed to a lack of understanding of gender differences and a skewed perspective on the 'generalized adult mind'.

These schools demonstrate how scientific and societal influences can shape our understanding of gender. It highlights the importance of inclusive research and recognizing the role of social factors.