Gender Psychology Theories Overview

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Questions and Answers

What role do social factors play immediately after a child is born?

They influence how parents and adults react to the child based on sex. (correct)

They solely determine the child's genetic makeup.

They dictate the hormonal balance established in the child.

They have no impact on the child's gender identity.

How does testosterone affect an embryo during the development stage?

It prevents the formation of male reproductive organs in the absence of other hormones.

It initiates the development of the penis and scrotum after 3-4 months. (correct)

It promotes the development of female reproductive structures.

It solely contributes to the development of secondary sex characteristics.

What was a common trait observed in both males and females in the Arapesh society according to Margaret Mead's study?

Cooperativeness (correct)

Independence

Assertiveness

Emotional unresponsiveness

Which of the following best describes the gender roles in the Mundungumor society?

Aggressiveness and emotional unresponsiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical event that first determines a child's sex?

The X or Y chromosome inherited from the father at conception. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of gender identity development is influenced by both biological and social factors?

The early self-concept as male or female. Signup and view all the answers

In Bandura's social learning interpretation, which method involves rewarding children for appropriate gender behaviors?

Direct tuition Signup and view all the answers

What criticism is noted regarding the theory of gender-typing presented in the content?

It doesn't specify the social processes behind gender identities. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of androgens like testosterone in male development compared to estrogen?

Androgens contribute greater amounts to male characteristics than estrogen does to female characteristics. Signup and view all the answers

What role do social forces play in gender-typing according to the provided content?

They interact with biological factors to influence behavior. Signup and view all the answers

At what age do parents typically begin to encourage gender-appropriate activities and discourage cross-gender play?

Around age 2 Signup and view all the answers

What plays a crucial role in children's understanding of gender-typed attitudes according to observational learning?

The labels attached to toys Signup and view all the answers

Which factor reduces children's awareness of gender stereotypes according to the content provided?

Having siblings of the opposite gender Signup and view all the answers

What conclusion can be drawn about gender-role development from the information provided?

Cognitive development is essential for understanding gender roles. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the content, why might children exhibit traditional gender roles despite parental efforts to discourage them?

Gender-role development is tied to cognitive understanding. Signup and view all the answers

What is highlighted as a consistent advantage boys have over girls in academic performance?

Mathematical reasoning Signup and view all the answers

According to evolutionary theories, what is a key difference in the mating strategies of males and females?

Males invest minimal resources in offspring. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the conclusions drawn from the study by Maccoby & Jacklin (1974)?

Most traditional gender stereotypes are not supported by empirical evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive trait are girls reported to develop earlier than boys?

Verbal skills Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics is typically associated with the evolutionary pressures faced by males?

Competitiveness and assertiveness Signup and view all the answers

Which theory argues that psychological sex differences are more influenced by social roles than biological evolution?

Social Roles Hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What psychological trait do evolutionary theories suggest girls are more likely to exhibit compared to boys?

Greater impulse control Signup and view all the answers

Why might the proposed differences in psychological functioning between sexes not be easily tested?

They ignore cultural and historical contexts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the last stage that children pass through according to Kohlberg's theory of gender development?

Gender Consistency Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of cognitive development is gender consistency associated with, according to the content?

Conservation of mass Signup and view all the answers

At what age do children typically exhibit a preference for same-sex toys, challenging some of Kohlberg's concepts?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

According to Martin and Halverson, when does self-socialization begin to take shape in children?

At age 2-3 Signup and view all the answers

What do gender schemas primarily influence in children?

Their information processing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements aligns with Martin and Halverson's perspective on gender-typing?

Acquiring basic gender identity enhances motivation to learn about genders. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a major criticism of Kohlberg's theory presented in the content?

Gender typing starts before a mature gender identity is reached. Signup and view all the answers

What does the in-group/out-group schema help children understand?

The expectations associated with their own and the opposite sex. Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical age mentioned for complications in gender reassignment?

After age 3 Signup and view all the answers

What are children likely to become more flexible about after achieving gender consistency?

Gender-role stereotypes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Evolutionary Approaches

Gender differences are influenced by evolutionary pressures.
Males evolved to be competitive, assertive, and aggressive to attract mates.
Females evolved to be nurturing and caring to ensure offspring survival.

Psychological sex differences are shaped by cultural roles and socialization.
Biological factors like genetics and hormones interact with social influences to create gender-specific behaviors.

Kohlberg’s Cognitive Developmental Theory

Children develop a mature understanding of gender through three stages: Basic Gender Identity, Gender Stability, and Gender Consistency.
Children actively seek out information about their gender roles after achieving Gender Consistency.

Gender Schema Theory

Children develop gender schemas, organized sets of beliefs and expectations about males and females.
These schemas influence information processing and memory, shaping children's understanding of gender-appropriate behaviors.
Children develop an in-group/out-group schema, categorizing objects and activities as either male or female.
This initial categorization influences children's toy preferences and expectations about others.

Biosocial Theory

Biological factors like genetics and hormones play a significant role in shaping sex differences.
The theory emphasizes the interaction of biological and social influences.

Physical Differences Between Sexes

Adult males are typically taller, heavier, and more muscular than females.
Females have a higher percentage of body fat.

Psychological Differences Between the Sexes

Girls generally display greater verbal abilities than boys.
Boys show a slight advantage in mathematical reasoning.
Boys feel more self-efficacious in math than girls.

Challenges to Evolutionary Theories

Difficult to test empirically.
Ignores cultural variations in gender roles.

Psychological sex differences arise from cultural roles and socialization.
Challenges the notion that differences are inherently biological.

Interactive theory proposes that biology and social factors work together to shape gender roles
Parental and societal expectations strongly influence gender development.

Gender Identity Development

Biological events, like the inheritance of sex chromosomes and hormone production, influence gender identity.
Social factors, like parental and societal expectations, also play a crucial role.
Puberty triggers further physical and hormonal changes, influencing gender development.

Margaret Mead's Research

Studied three tribes in New Guinea to demonstrate the influence of culture on gender roles.
Found significant variations in gender roles across cultures.

Children learn gender roles through observation and imitation of same-sex models.
Direct tuition, where parents reward gender-appropriate behaviors and discourage inappropriate ones, also plays a role.
Children are more likely to imitate and adopt gender-appropriate behaviors from same-sex role models.

Kohlberg's Theory

Children first develop a stable gender identity before seeking out same-sex models.
Gender self-socialization, the process of aligning behavior with gender identity, is strengthened after attaining Gender Consistency.

Gender Consistency and Stereotypes

Gender consistency is associated with other aspects of cognitive development, such as conservation of liquid and mass.
Children display more stereotypical play preferences once they reach gender consistency.

Criticism of Kohlberg's Theory

Gender typing begins before children develop a mature understanding of gender.
Children are more flexible in their thinking about gender stereotypes after reaching gender consistency.
Overstates the importance of a mature understanding of gender in shaping gender-typed behavior.

Gender Schema Theory: Key Points

Children are highly motivated to acquire information consistent with their gender identity.
Gender schemas develop early, beginning around age 2.
In-group/out-group schemas affect children's understanding of the world and their preferences.
Children become "gender detectives," actively seeking out information about gender-appropriate behaviors.
Children's own-sex schemas provide detailed information on how to act in a gender-consistent manner.

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Description

Explore the key theories of gender psychology including Evolutionary Approaches, Social Identity Theory, Kohlberg’s Cognitive Developmental Theory, and Gender Schema Theory. This quiz delves into how these theories explain psychological and behavioral differences influenced by both biological and social factors.