Gender Essentialism vs. Social Constructionism

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What is meant by the term 'social position' in a social system?

The cultural norms dictating behavior in society

An individual’s personality traits and characteristics

The overall influence of an individual's actions on social dynamics

The rank or status one holds that may be permanent or temporary (correct)

In the context of social roles, what creates paths of least resistance for the position holder?

The beliefs, values, attitudes, and norms associated with the position (correct)

Individual creativity and decision-making skills

The relative power dynamics within a social hierarchy

The permanence of one's position in the social structure

How does role conflict typically arise in an overlapping social system?

When individuals hold multiple positions that require conflicting behaviors (correct)

When one’s social position is not aligned with their personal beliefs

When there are too few social roles in the system

When cultural norms are too rigid and unchanging

What are the primary components of social structure as defined in the content?

The organization of relationships and distributions of power and wealth Signup and view all the answers

What cultural contrast is highlighted between the US and Japan regarding social ceremonies?

Japan focuses on precision, while the US emphasizes spontaneity Signup and view all the answers

What does Nancy Chodorow argue about the effects of having a child on heterosexual relationships?

It completes the relationship for women but interrupts it for men. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key criticism of gender essentialism according to the content?

It creates obstacles for the gender revolution by reinforcing rigid norms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pairs represents the traditional gender binaries mentioned?

Sex and sexuality Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, how is social constructionism defined?

As reality created and maintained through social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What does Paula England suggest about the change in the gender system?

The progress in gender roles has been uneven and stalled. Signup and view all the answers

Why is individuality seen as beneficial for women according to the content?

It allows women to prioritize their personal goals and achievements. Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest as an effective action towards justice for all genders?

Engaging in social actions aimed at increasing equity. Signup and view all the answers

What shift is indicated regarding vocabulary about gender and sexuality?

It shifts to reflect evolving social norms and understandings. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'self' primarily arise from according to the content?

Social experience and interactions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of primary groups in human development?

They are crucial for the development of human cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

How does GH Mead contrast with Cooley regarding the formation of the self?

Mead focuses on action and interaction, while Cooley emphasizes internal thoughts. Signup and view all the answers

What foundational idea is associated with Robert Park's concept of the 'self'?

The self is shaped by the roles individuals play in their communities. Signup and view all the answers

What does reflexivity in the context of the self mean?

The capacity for self-observation and objective self-reflection. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is highlighted in the idea of 'generalized others'?

The attitudes and perceptions of the larger community influence the self. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of isolation on human qualities according to the content?

Human qualities decay without socialization and interaction. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of socialization, what does the phrase 'nurture must be reinforced' imply?

Continuous interaction is necessary for maintaining human qualities. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'color line' refer to in Du Bois's analysis?

A socially constructed division between races. Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'veil' concept contribute to racial experiences?

It creates a sense of exclusion from experiences of other races. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'double consciousness' imply about Black Americans?

They struggle to balance two identities within a dominant culture. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Thomas Theorem, what holds significance in societal interactions?

Subjective interpretations of reality. Signup and view all the answers

How did the English view of race impact their treatment of the Irish according to Allan Johnson?

It cultivated a sense of superiority over the Irish. Signup and view all the answers

What justification did the myth of Noah's Curse provide proslavery Southerners?

It offered a rationale for the treatment of Blacks as subservient based on biblical narratives. Signup and view all the answers

In what way was the construction of race influenced by economic factors in America?

Economic interests helped justify the permanent African American slave class. Signup and view all the answers

What attitude did the concept of 'white privilege' exemplify according to the content?

It reflects a systemic advantage held by white individuals over others. Signup and view all the answers

What was the view on sex in the 1850s from a moral standpoint?

Sex was seen as a behavior rather than a reflection of identity. Signup and view all the answers

How did the legal perspective on sex change from the 19th to the 20th century?

Sexual behaviors were decriminalized. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best captures Judith Butler's concept of 'performativity'?

Heterosexuality is performed similarly to other sexual identities. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of sociology, how do 'lesbian/gay studies' differ from 'queer theory'?

Lesbian/gay studies affirm specific identities, while queer theory opposes normative sexual identities. Signup and view all the answers

What was the medical perspective on abnormal sexual behavior in the early 20th century?

It was seen as an illness that required treatment. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects the shift in perception of sex from the 18th to the early 21st century?

Sex is shifting from a moral failing to an aspect of personal identity and social interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the public attitude towards sex with non-marital partners in the 1850s?

It often led to legal prosecution and social ostracism. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a significant change in medical views on sex from the late 20th to early 21st centuries?

Sex is increasingly viewed as an interpersonal transaction subject to enhancement. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Essentialism argues that things have inherent identities and meanings, often explained by external forces like religion or divine will.
Social constructionism believes that reality is created and maintained through human social interactions.
Nancy Chodorow emphasizes that motherhood is a social construct, not just biological instinct, and this influences social roles.
Paula England argues that gender revolution has been uneven and stalled, with men having less incentive to cross into female domains.

Emphasizes the importance of interpersonal gestures and interactions in shaping individuals.
Individuals become personalities through their belonging to communities.
Self arises through social experience, by observing and responding to oneself as others do.
Different selves are expressed in different situations.
Socialization is crucial for self-formation, and it can lead to solitary existence after development.

The Self: Reflexivity and Generalized Other

The self is reflexive, meaning individuals can observe and reflect on themselves objectively.
The generalized other represents the attitudes and expectations of the whole community or group.

Individuals are shaped by their roles and positions within social systems.
Social positions are influenced by status, power, and temporary or permanent situations.
Behaviors are often more influenced by roles than personality, leading to both empowerment and constraints.
Social positions influence each other within a social system.

Roles and Role Structure

Roles encompass beliefs, values, attitudes and norms that apply to a particular social position, influencing behavior.
Cultures shape differences in roles through paths of least resistance.
Multiple social positions can create role conflicts.
Role structure defines the relationships between social positions and systems, contributing to the fundamental understanding of social structure.

WEB Du Bois: Color Line, Veil, Double Consciousness

Emphasizes the color line as a socially constructed division between black and white, influencing both individual and collective experiences.
The veil signifies the feeling of exclusion and separation from other racial experiences.
Double consciousness portrays the conflict of having two identities- Black American and American, preventing the formation of a unified self.

Race: Essential or Constructed? The Thomas Theorem

The Thomas Theorem states that if people define situations as real, they are real in their effects.
Racial views, even if not biologically grounded, are real in their consequences.
It applies to other aspects of life, such as religious beliefs, where reality is shaped by collective perception.

U.S. White Privilege and Noah's Curse

White privilege developed historically from the English construction of racial categories, initially applied to the Irish.
This hierarchy was later exported to America, justifying slavery as a functional system for capitalist interests.
Noah's Curse from the Bible provided a mythical justification for slavery, linking it to divine authority and justifying the subjugation of African Americans based on the biblical story of Ham.

Shifting Views of Sex

In the 1850s, sex was viewed as a behavior, with moral implications based on the choice of sexual partners.
Later, sex became criminalized in the 19th century, focusing on criminal sexual behaviors such as prostitution and homosexuality.
The 20th century saw a shift to viewing sex as an identity, decriminalizing sexual behaviors and viewing abnormal sexual behaviors as a medical illness.
In the early 21st century, sex is seen as an interpersonal transaction that can be medically enhanced.

Lesbian/Gay Studies vs. Queer Theory

Lesbian/gay studies affirm specific sexual identities and cultures.
Queer theory opposes normative sexual identities, emphasizing resistance to established norms.
It challenges the binary understanding of sexuality and encourages the disruption of established classifications.

Judith Butler and the Performance of Gender

Butler argues that heterosexuality is a performance, and other sexualities mimic those performances.
Every sexuality is performative, shaping the identity it is meant to represent.
Social reality is created through symbolic signifiers, gestures, and language.
Gender is constructed through performance, becoming reality through actions and expressions.

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Description

This quiz explores the concepts of gender essentialism and social constructionism, highlighting their implications on identity and social roles. It discusses contributions from theorists like Nancy Chodorow and Paula England, examining how gender is influenced by social structures and interactions.