Psychology Notes
Week 1
GENDER DEVELOPMENT
Gender development refers to how people develop their:
• Gender identity
• Gender roles
• Gender-related behaviours
It is influenced by:
1. Biological Factors - Hormones - Chromosomes - Brain development
2. Psychological Factors - Identity - Learning - Thinking processes
3. Environmental Factors - Family - Friends -School
4. Cultural Factors - Social expectations - Traditions - Gender norms
INTERSEX
Intersex refers to a person born with ambiguous sexual organs that are not clearly male
or female.
Causes: Usually hormonal abnormalities during development.
GENDER ROLES
Gender roles are behaviours, attitudes and personality traits society expects from
males and females.
Cultural Differences
Individualistic Cultures
Focus on: - Independence - Personal goals
More non-traditional gender roles.
Collectivist Cultures
Focus on: - Family - Community - Interdependence
More traditional gender roles.
,Gender Identity:
A person's internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender.
Transgender:
A person's gender identity differs from their biological sex.
Gender Dysphoria
Distress experienced because one's gender identity does not match biological sex.
GENDER APPEARANCE RIGIDITY
A developmental stage where children strongly insist on gender-appropriate behaviour.
Examples : Girls: Want dresses Boys: Refuse "girlish" toys
THEORIES OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Main Idea : Children learn gender behaviour through:
Observation: Watching others.
Imitation: Copying behaviour.
Reinforcement : Being rewarded or punished.
GENDER SCHEMA THEORY
Main Idea: Children actively build mental frameworks called schemas.
Schema: A mental category or pattern.
SEXISM
Prejudice or discrimination based on sex.
Benevolent Sexism
Appears positive but still causes inequality.
Example: Giving a woman fewer responsibilities after maternity leave.
Seems helpful but it actually, limits career growth.
,SEXUAL ORIENTATION
A person's sexual attraction to others.
Type Dynamic and Meaning
Heterosexual Attraction to the opposite sex, often referred to as straight.
Attraction to the same sex, encompassing gay and lesbian
Homosexual
identities.
Attraction to both sexes, recognizing that attraction can span
Bisexual
multiple genders.
Little or no sexual attraction to others, though deep
Asexual
emotional bonds can still form.
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION:
Genetics: Runs in families - Twin studies support genetic influence
Hormones: Prenatal exposure to hormones may influence orientation.
Brain Differences: Research shows structural and functional differences in some brain
areas.
Birth Order Effect: More older brothers = greater chance of male homosexuality.
PRIMARY VS SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS
Primary Sex Characteristics:
Present at birth and directly involved in reproduction.
Male: Penis -Testes -Scrotum
Female: -Uterus -Ovaries -Vagina
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Develop during puberty and not directly involved in reproduction.
Female: -Breasts -Wider hips -Pubic hair
Male: -Facial hair - Deeper voice - Adam's apple
, SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
1. Excitement Phase: Body prepares for sexual activity.
2. Plateau Phase: Arousal intensifies.
3. Orgasm Phase: Peak sexual pleasure - Rhythmic contractions occur.
4. Resolution Phase: Body returns to normal.
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Three Areas:
Social Influence- How others affect behaviour.
Social Cognition- How we think about others.
Social Interaction- How people relate to each other.
CONFORMITY
Changing behaviour to match others.
Factors Increasing Conformity
More Group Members- Conformity increases.
Public Responses- Conformity increases.
Collectivist Cultures- Conformity higher.
NORMATIVE SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Conforming to gain acceptance.
Goal- to be liked Example- Laughing because everyone else laughs.
INFORMATIONAL SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Conforming because others appear correct.
Goal- To be right. Example -Watching others use cutlery at a fancy restaurant
Week 1
GENDER DEVELOPMENT
Gender development refers to how people develop their:
• Gender identity
• Gender roles
• Gender-related behaviours
It is influenced by:
1. Biological Factors - Hormones - Chromosomes - Brain development
2. Psychological Factors - Identity - Learning - Thinking processes
3. Environmental Factors - Family - Friends -School
4. Cultural Factors - Social expectations - Traditions - Gender norms
INTERSEX
Intersex refers to a person born with ambiguous sexual organs that are not clearly male
or female.
Causes: Usually hormonal abnormalities during development.
GENDER ROLES
Gender roles are behaviours, attitudes and personality traits society expects from
males and females.
Cultural Differences
Individualistic Cultures
Focus on: - Independence - Personal goals
More non-traditional gender roles.
Collectivist Cultures
Focus on: - Family - Community - Interdependence
More traditional gender roles.
,Gender Identity:
A person's internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender.
Transgender:
A person's gender identity differs from their biological sex.
Gender Dysphoria
Distress experienced because one's gender identity does not match biological sex.
GENDER APPEARANCE RIGIDITY
A developmental stage where children strongly insist on gender-appropriate behaviour.
Examples : Girls: Want dresses Boys: Refuse "girlish" toys
THEORIES OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Main Idea : Children learn gender behaviour through:
Observation: Watching others.
Imitation: Copying behaviour.
Reinforcement : Being rewarded or punished.
GENDER SCHEMA THEORY
Main Idea: Children actively build mental frameworks called schemas.
Schema: A mental category or pattern.
SEXISM
Prejudice or discrimination based on sex.
Benevolent Sexism
Appears positive but still causes inequality.
Example: Giving a woman fewer responsibilities after maternity leave.
Seems helpful but it actually, limits career growth.
,SEXUAL ORIENTATION
A person's sexual attraction to others.
Type Dynamic and Meaning
Heterosexual Attraction to the opposite sex, often referred to as straight.
Attraction to the same sex, encompassing gay and lesbian
Homosexual
identities.
Attraction to both sexes, recognizing that attraction can span
Bisexual
multiple genders.
Little or no sexual attraction to others, though deep
Asexual
emotional bonds can still form.
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION:
Genetics: Runs in families - Twin studies support genetic influence
Hormones: Prenatal exposure to hormones may influence orientation.
Brain Differences: Research shows structural and functional differences in some brain
areas.
Birth Order Effect: More older brothers = greater chance of male homosexuality.
PRIMARY VS SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS
Primary Sex Characteristics:
Present at birth and directly involved in reproduction.
Male: Penis -Testes -Scrotum
Female: -Uterus -Ovaries -Vagina
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Develop during puberty and not directly involved in reproduction.
Female: -Breasts -Wider hips -Pubic hair
Male: -Facial hair - Deeper voice - Adam's apple
, SEXUAL RESPONSE CYCLE
1. Excitement Phase: Body prepares for sexual activity.
2. Plateau Phase: Arousal intensifies.
3. Orgasm Phase: Peak sexual pleasure - Rhythmic contractions occur.
4. Resolution Phase: Body returns to normal.
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Three Areas:
Social Influence- How others affect behaviour.
Social Cognition- How we think about others.
Social Interaction- How people relate to each other.
CONFORMITY
Changing behaviour to match others.
Factors Increasing Conformity
More Group Members- Conformity increases.
Public Responses- Conformity increases.
Collectivist Cultures- Conformity higher.
NORMATIVE SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Conforming to gain acceptance.
Goal- to be liked Example- Laughing because everyone else laughs.
INFORMATIONAL SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Conforming because others appear correct.
Goal- To be right. Example -Watching others use cutlery at a fancy restaurant
