Research into sex and gender
Sex: Biological characteristics of a person (genes, chromosomes, reproductive anatomy); is
innate/nature and determines female and male
Gender: Psychological or behavioural characteristics of a person relating to their sex (ways
of thinking, feeling and acting); nurture, determines masculinity/femininity
Sex-role stereotype: Set of beliefs and ideas on what is expected or appropriate for men
and women in a given society
Gender identity: An individual’s perception of their own masculinity/femininity
Gender dysphoria: Strong and persistent feelings of identification with the opposite gender
and discomfort with one’s own assigned sex
Rubin et al: stereotyping babies
Aim: How new parents stereotype their babies.
Method: Parents asked to describe their new babies within 24 hours of birth.
Results: Baby boys: “alert and strong”, baby girls: “soft and delicate”
Conclusions: Parents stereotype their children early despite no stereotypical behaviours.
When sex is known before birth, stereotyping already begins e.g. painting room pink for a
girl.
Seaver et al: labelling babies
Aim: Whether gender labels attached to a baby affects adult responses.
Method: 3 month old dressed in yellow. Each third of Pts told the baby is male, female or no
label. Pts played with child for 3 minutes. Room contained toys: ball, ring, doll.
Results: Female: Pts used doll. Male: Pts used ring. No label: Female Pts played with child
more than males. Pts also decided on a sex for the baby and justified by physical features
e.g. boy b/c firm grip, girl b/c soft.
Conclusion: Adults interact with children differently based on their perceived sex.
,Bem’s explanation for psychological androgyny
● Androgyny is where an individual displays a balance of masculine and feminine
characteristics in one’s personality.
● Beam challenged traditional ideas of the 2 gender identities by adding
“androgynous”.
○ It is psychological and based on behavioural and emotional traits.
○ Psychological androgyny is taking on whichever quality fits best for the
situation.
● Bem believed that gender role stereotypes came with “costs”: limited opportunities,
ignoring talent and perpetuating unfairness in society.
BSRI (Bem sex role inventory)
● Bem developed a questionnaire to test for your gender personality.
● 60 traits were picked based on how they were rated by people as to which sex they
are most stereotyped to (e.g. being sympathetic is feminine).
○ 20 for feminine, 20 for masculine and 20 filler traits (neutral).
● Individuals will then rate themselves 1-7 on each of the words and then work out their
score for each gender personality.
● An average of 4.9 in masculine traits means a masculine personality, 4.9 in feminine
traits means a feminine personality, 4.9 in both means androgynous personality and
less than 4.9 means undifferentiated.
Reliability and Validity
● Considered both reliable and valid at the time it was developed.
○ Traits chosen based on ratings from 100 judges of 200 traits.
○ Piloted to 1000 individuals which corresponded with their gender identity,
showing internal validity.
○ A follow up study with the same participants showed the same results which
shows reliability.
Temporal validity
● BSRI developed over 40 years ago and stereotypical ideas of masculinity and
femininity have since changed and are outdated.
○ Unrepresentative of modern interpretations of gender identity and sex roles.
○ These social changes mean the BSRI is outdated as sex roles today are less
defined.
Ethnocentric
● Traits were devised by judges all from the USA so their notions of feminist and
masculinity may not be shared across other cultures and societies.
○ Therefore the BSRI is not generalisable across all cultures.
Self Awareness
● Individuals may be unaware of their gender identity.
, Role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender
Chromosomes:
● Female egg always has X chromosome
● If egg is fertilised by Y carrying sperm, child will be biologically male
● If egg is fertilised by X carrying sperm, child will be biologically female
Male XY
1. SRY gene in Y chromosome
2. Androgens produced causing embryo to become male
3. TDF protein produced
4. Gonads become testes and external
5. Testosterone secreted
6. Penis develops, brain masculinises for spatial and navigational skills
Female XX (mullerian route)
1. Gonads develop into ovaries
2. Oestrogen secreted, brain is feminised for verbal skills
Hormones:
● Chromosomes decide biological sex but development caused by hormones.
○ In womb, hormones change the brain and help develop reproductive organs.
○ In puberty, hormones cause secondary sex characteristics.
Testosterone
● Produced in large quantities in males; ten times more than in females.
○ Masculinises the brain for better visuspatial skills.
● Role in bio sex:
○ Testes produce testosterone in womb.
○ During puberty causes secondary sex characteristics to develop like hair
growth, deeper voice and increased muscle density.
● Role in gender:
○ Increased levels of aggression and competitiveness (male typical
behaviours).
Oestrogen
● Larger quantities in females than males.
○ Feminises the brain for better verbal skills.
● Role in bio sex:
○ Regulates menstrual cycle.
○ Causes secondary sex characteristics in women like breast development and
maturation of internal genitalia.
● Role in gender:
○ Influences feelings of irritability and co-operation.
○ Linked to increased response to other’s needs and caring behaviour.
Oxytocin
● Produced in higher quantities in females than males.
Sex: Biological characteristics of a person (genes, chromosomes, reproductive anatomy); is
innate/nature and determines female and male
Gender: Psychological or behavioural characteristics of a person relating to their sex (ways
of thinking, feeling and acting); nurture, determines masculinity/femininity
Sex-role stereotype: Set of beliefs and ideas on what is expected or appropriate for men
and women in a given society
Gender identity: An individual’s perception of their own masculinity/femininity
Gender dysphoria: Strong and persistent feelings of identification with the opposite gender
and discomfort with one’s own assigned sex
Rubin et al: stereotyping babies
Aim: How new parents stereotype their babies.
Method: Parents asked to describe their new babies within 24 hours of birth.
Results: Baby boys: “alert and strong”, baby girls: “soft and delicate”
Conclusions: Parents stereotype their children early despite no stereotypical behaviours.
When sex is known before birth, stereotyping already begins e.g. painting room pink for a
girl.
Seaver et al: labelling babies
Aim: Whether gender labels attached to a baby affects adult responses.
Method: 3 month old dressed in yellow. Each third of Pts told the baby is male, female or no
label. Pts played with child for 3 minutes. Room contained toys: ball, ring, doll.
Results: Female: Pts used doll. Male: Pts used ring. No label: Female Pts played with child
more than males. Pts also decided on a sex for the baby and justified by physical features
e.g. boy b/c firm grip, girl b/c soft.
Conclusion: Adults interact with children differently based on their perceived sex.
,Bem’s explanation for psychological androgyny
● Androgyny is where an individual displays a balance of masculine and feminine
characteristics in one’s personality.
● Beam challenged traditional ideas of the 2 gender identities by adding
“androgynous”.
○ It is psychological and based on behavioural and emotional traits.
○ Psychological androgyny is taking on whichever quality fits best for the
situation.
● Bem believed that gender role stereotypes came with “costs”: limited opportunities,
ignoring talent and perpetuating unfairness in society.
BSRI (Bem sex role inventory)
● Bem developed a questionnaire to test for your gender personality.
● 60 traits were picked based on how they were rated by people as to which sex they
are most stereotyped to (e.g. being sympathetic is feminine).
○ 20 for feminine, 20 for masculine and 20 filler traits (neutral).
● Individuals will then rate themselves 1-7 on each of the words and then work out their
score for each gender personality.
● An average of 4.9 in masculine traits means a masculine personality, 4.9 in feminine
traits means a feminine personality, 4.9 in both means androgynous personality and
less than 4.9 means undifferentiated.
Reliability and Validity
● Considered both reliable and valid at the time it was developed.
○ Traits chosen based on ratings from 100 judges of 200 traits.
○ Piloted to 1000 individuals which corresponded with their gender identity,
showing internal validity.
○ A follow up study with the same participants showed the same results which
shows reliability.
Temporal validity
● BSRI developed over 40 years ago and stereotypical ideas of masculinity and
femininity have since changed and are outdated.
○ Unrepresentative of modern interpretations of gender identity and sex roles.
○ These social changes mean the BSRI is outdated as sex roles today are less
defined.
Ethnocentric
● Traits were devised by judges all from the USA so their notions of feminist and
masculinity may not be shared across other cultures and societies.
○ Therefore the BSRI is not generalisable across all cultures.
Self Awareness
● Individuals may be unaware of their gender identity.
, Role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender
Chromosomes:
● Female egg always has X chromosome
● If egg is fertilised by Y carrying sperm, child will be biologically male
● If egg is fertilised by X carrying sperm, child will be biologically female
Male XY
1. SRY gene in Y chromosome
2. Androgens produced causing embryo to become male
3. TDF protein produced
4. Gonads become testes and external
5. Testosterone secreted
6. Penis develops, brain masculinises for spatial and navigational skills
Female XX (mullerian route)
1. Gonads develop into ovaries
2. Oestrogen secreted, brain is feminised for verbal skills
Hormones:
● Chromosomes decide biological sex but development caused by hormones.
○ In womb, hormones change the brain and help develop reproductive organs.
○ In puberty, hormones cause secondary sex characteristics.
Testosterone
● Produced in large quantities in males; ten times more than in females.
○ Masculinises the brain for better visuspatial skills.
● Role in bio sex:
○ Testes produce testosterone in womb.
○ During puberty causes secondary sex characteristics to develop like hair
growth, deeper voice and increased muscle density.
● Role in gender:
○ Increased levels of aggression and competitiveness (male typical
behaviours).
Oestrogen
● Larger quantities in females than males.
○ Feminises the brain for better verbal skills.
● Role in bio sex:
○ Regulates menstrual cycle.
○ Causes secondary sex characteristics in women like breast development and
maturation of internal genitalia.
● Role in gender:
○ Influences feelings of irritability and co-operation.
○ Linked to increased response to other’s needs and caring behaviour.
Oxytocin
● Produced in higher quantities in females than males.
