Biosocial Approach Gender Development. Gender Characteristics, whether biological or socially...
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Transcript of Biosocial Approach Gender Development. Gender Characteristics, whether biological or socially...
Biosocial Approach Gender Development
GenderCharacteristics, whether biological or socially influenced, by which
people define male and female
• Women • Men• Describe themselves in
more relational terms• Experience more
relationship-linked emotions
• More empathetic • Gravitate toward jobs that
reduce inequalities
• Focus on tasks and on connections with large groups
• Respond to stress with “fight or flight” response
• Gravitate toward jobs that enhance inequalities
Division of labour
Why are men seen as the “breadwinners” or hunter gatherers?
Why are women often given the role of homemaker and child minder?
Does our society today still benefit from gender roles or is it becoming more similar?
Exceptions
Agta Tribe(Philippines)
Aka Tribe(Africa)
DianaHunting Goddess
Women during the Wars
• Mechanics • Engineers • Tank drivers • Building ships • Working in factories -
making bombs and aircraft parts
• Air raid wardens • Driving fire engines • Plumbers • Ambulance drivers • WRVS volunteers • Nurses
Biosocial Theory
Money and Ehrhardt (1972)
Parental expectations
Social Role Theory
Eagly and Wood (1999)
What about sex differences in mate choice?
• Resources• Domestic• Compliment each other
• Gender and Mating Preferences– Men seek out quantity• Spreading genes widely
– Women seek out quality• Protecting and nurturing of offspring
• Equal Pay
• Maternity cover
Hormonal differences
Are these differences a cause or an outcome?
Eagly and Wood (2002) – hormonal differences may be an outcome of social roles e.g. testosterone as a result of engaging in more active and competitive activities
• Gender and Hormones– Gender gap in aggression seems influenced by
testosterone – As humans age they become more androgynous• Mixing both masculine and feminine characteristics
Social Constructionist Approach
Eagly and WoodHuman behaviour is
mainly an invention or outcome of a particular society or culture
Behaviours are best explained in the context in which thy occur
Luxen (2007)High ethical appeal if sex
roles are perceived as more flexible
Buss (1989)37 cultures examined10,000 people Women desire mates
with good financial prospects
Men placed more evidence on physical attractiveness and youth- fertility and obedience
Both look for intelligence, kindness and loyal/dependable
(supports evolutionary)
Eagly & Wood (1999) Used Gender
Empowerment Measure When women had
higher status (more equal) – mating preferences become less pronounced
Therefore social roles are driving force in psychological sex differences
However, Gangestad et al (2006)Re-examined same data Gender equality not related to sex differences.Therefore evolutionary theory better explanation
Culture
• Peer-Transmitted Culture– 50 percent of individual
variations in personality traits is by parental nurturing
– The other 50 percent is peer influence
• Gender Role•Set of behavior expectations (norms) for males and females•Gender roles vary over culture•Gender roles vary over time