Questions and Answers
What is gender attribution and how does it work?
Reading the many different cues people present in order to decide if someone is a man, woman, or something else entirely.
Define gender.
Our cultural interpretation of social practices associated with, but not caused/determined by, our biological means.
What does it mean to refer to gender as a social and cultural construct? Give an example.
Gender and sex are socially constructed; culture dictates our understanding of sex, and our cultural interpretations shape how we perceive gender. Example: cultural genitalia.
What does the social construction of gender refer to?
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What does cultural genitalia refer to? Give an example.
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List and give examples of the four areas of evidence that support the social constructionist approach.
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Compare the biosocial approach to the social constructivist approach.
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Do the texts and readings embrace a biosocial perspective on gender? Do the authors argue that contemporary gender differences are a product of revolutionary processes such as natural selection? If not, why?
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What is the Thomas theorem and how does it apply to gender?
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What is the self-fulfilling prophecy and how does it relate to gender? Provide an example.
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What is the difference between gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual orientation?
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What are Anne Fausto-Sterling's five sex categories?
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Study Notes
Gender Attribution
- Gender attribution involves assessing cues to classify individuals as male, female, or other identities.
- Examples include labeling someone with statements like "That's a man" or "That's a woman."
Definition of Gender
- Gender represents cultural interpretations of social practices linked to biological differences.
- It is not strictly determined by biology but rather layered in cultural meanings.
Social and Cultural Construct of Gender
- Both sex and gender are socially constructed concepts influenced by cultural norms.
- Cultural interpretations shape the understanding of gender, such as the assumption that outward gender performance aligns with biological sex.
Social Construction of Gender
- This concept indicates that subjective beliefs about gender arise from societal perceptions of maleness and femaleness.
- Gender interpretation is viewed as social performance influenced by sex.
Cultural Genitalia
- Cultural genitalia refers to the expectations of gender performance that align with biological sex characteristics.
- Examples include practices like clothing choices and mannerisms reflecting societal gender norms.
Evidence Supporting Social Constructionism
- Biological differences are affected by social realities, e.g., lifestyle choices affecting bone mass variation.
- Intersex individuals challenge rigid binary categories, exemplified by congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
- The transgender community illustrates the fluidity of gender beyond binary sex definitions.
- Historical and cross-cultural evidence shows variations in sex categorization across different societies and epochs, e.g., ancient Greeks' one-sex model.
Biosocial vs. Social Constructivist Approaches
- The biosocial approach views sex as a binary category with fixed male/female distinctions.
- The social constructivist approach recognizes that sex and gender perceptions are culturally defined and fluid.
Perspective on Gender Differences
- Authors of the readings advocate for a social constructivist perspective, challenging binary gender classifications and emphasizing fluid interpretations of gender.
Thomas Theorem and Gender
- The Thomas theorem posits that perceived definitions affect reality and outcomes; in terms of gender, defined expectations carry real consequences.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Gender
- A self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when initial false assumptions affirm themselves over time.
- Gender expectations influence behavior, e.g., differing dress codes for men and women.
Differences in Gender Concepts
- Gender identity denotes self-perception as male, female, both, or neither.
- Gender expression relates to external portrayals of gender identity, like clothing and behavior.
- Sex is the classification based on biological criteria at birth, whereas sexual orientation pertains to enduring attractions to others.
Anne Fausto-Sterling’s Five Sex Categories
- Introduces a model extending beyond male and female, including:
- Male
- Merm (male hermaphrodite)
- True hermaphrodite
- Ferm (female hermaphrodite)
- Female
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Description
Explore the foundational concepts of gender and its social construction in this flashcard quiz. Understand terms like gender attribution and the cultural interpretations of gender roles, delving deeper into the layers of social meanings associated with biological aspects.
