Gender Development
, Key Terms
Sex: The biological make-up of being male or female.
Gender: The social interpretation and how you identify yourself as being male/female.
Masculine: Refers to the behaviours associated with being male.
Feminine: Refers to the behaviours associated with being female.
Androgyny: When a person has an equal balance of masculine and feminine traits.
, Nature vs. Nurture
Extreme nature view: Suggests that gender-related behaviour is entirely controlled by hormonal and
genetic factors. Assumes that women are biologically programmed to be nurturers and carers, while
men are biologically programmed to be providers and protectors.
Extreme nurture view: Suggests that gender-related behaviour is entirely determined by social and
cultural factors - our experiences and the environment in which we live.
Theories positions on this debate:
Biological - Nature
SLT - Nurture
Cognitive - Development of understanding depends on biological maturation which is nature, but is
also influenced by experience which is nurture
Psychodynamic - Depends on a combination of instinctive biological forces which is nature, and
childhood experiences which is nurture
, Key Terms
Sex: The biological make-up of being male or female.
Gender: The social interpretation and how you identify yourself as being male/female.
Masculine: Refers to the behaviours associated with being male.
Feminine: Refers to the behaviours associated with being female.
Androgyny: When a person has an equal balance of masculine and feminine traits.
, Nature vs. Nurture
Extreme nature view: Suggests that gender-related behaviour is entirely controlled by hormonal and
genetic factors. Assumes that women are biologically programmed to be nurturers and carers, while
men are biologically programmed to be providers and protectors.
Extreme nurture view: Suggests that gender-related behaviour is entirely determined by social and
cultural factors - our experiences and the environment in which we live.
Theories positions on this debate:
Biological - Nature
SLT - Nurture
Cognitive - Development of understanding depends on biological maturation which is nature, but is
also influenced by experience which is nurture
Psychodynamic - Depends on a combination of instinctive biological forces which is nature, and
childhood experiences which is nurture
