THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WOMEN AND GENDER
EIGHTH EDITION COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 GENDER ROLES AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
◉ placenta. Answer: organ providing oxygen and nutrients into
embryo
- removes waste products back to mother an produces hormones
◉ prenatal care (US vs developing countries). Answer: US = access to
adequate care (which is important)
developing countries = lower prenatal care
◉ reactions to pregnancy (physical vs emotional). Answer: Physical
= pregnancy affects almost every organ (range of symptoms - breast
tenderness, frequent urination, nausea, fatigue)
Emotional = range of positive and negative emotions (happy or more
fearful and anxious)
,◉ risks leading to negative aspects of pregnancy. Answer: mental
health concerns, substance use, poor coping skills, discrimination,
poverty, lack of support, domestic violence...
◉ emotions women experiences. Answer: physical reactions,
planned/unplanned, reactions from others, presence/absence of co-
parent, SES status, personality...
◉ miscarriage. Answer: unintended termination of pregnancy prior
to 24th week of pregnancy
- within first trimester
◉ 3 major gynaecological events during lifetime for women. Answer:
menarche, pregnancy and menopause
◉ hostile vs benevolent sexism. Answer: hostile sexism - working
pregnant women
- more hate (blatant sexism - 'know their place')
benevolent sexism - pregnant women in public
- thinking they need more help than they do (subtle sexism)
, ◉ 3 types of discrimination (helpful advice, lack of opportunity and
unfair treatment). Answer: helpful advice = receiving extra and
unwanted advice
lack of opportunity = lower access to training and growth
(encouraged to work less)
unfair treatment = increased workload
◉ workplace discrimination effects on pregnancy and child. Answer:
reduced mental health, lower birth weight in infants, increased
doctors visits for babies and higher levels of postpartum depression
◉ 3 stages of childbirth (biology). Answer: stage 1 = uterus
contracts every 5 minutes (dilate)
stage 2 = baby moves further down vagina (push)
stage 3 = baby is born and placenta separates from uterine wall
◉ premature birth (preterm). Answer: baby born before 37 weeks
gestation (born too early)
- higher risk - medical complications
EIGHTH EDITION COMPREHENSIVE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 GENDER ROLES AND
PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
◉ placenta. Answer: organ providing oxygen and nutrients into
embryo
- removes waste products back to mother an produces hormones
◉ prenatal care (US vs developing countries). Answer: US = access to
adequate care (which is important)
developing countries = lower prenatal care
◉ reactions to pregnancy (physical vs emotional). Answer: Physical
= pregnancy affects almost every organ (range of symptoms - breast
tenderness, frequent urination, nausea, fatigue)
Emotional = range of positive and negative emotions (happy or more
fearful and anxious)
,◉ risks leading to negative aspects of pregnancy. Answer: mental
health concerns, substance use, poor coping skills, discrimination,
poverty, lack of support, domestic violence...
◉ emotions women experiences. Answer: physical reactions,
planned/unplanned, reactions from others, presence/absence of co-
parent, SES status, personality...
◉ miscarriage. Answer: unintended termination of pregnancy prior
to 24th week of pregnancy
- within first trimester
◉ 3 major gynaecological events during lifetime for women. Answer:
menarche, pregnancy and menopause
◉ hostile vs benevolent sexism. Answer: hostile sexism - working
pregnant women
- more hate (blatant sexism - 'know their place')
benevolent sexism - pregnant women in public
- thinking they need more help than they do (subtle sexism)
, ◉ 3 types of discrimination (helpful advice, lack of opportunity and
unfair treatment). Answer: helpful advice = receiving extra and
unwanted advice
lack of opportunity = lower access to training and growth
(encouraged to work less)
unfair treatment = increased workload
◉ workplace discrimination effects on pregnancy and child. Answer:
reduced mental health, lower birth weight in infants, increased
doctors visits for babies and higher levels of postpartum depression
◉ 3 stages of childbirth (biology). Answer: stage 1 = uterus
contracts every 5 minutes (dilate)
stage 2 = baby moves further down vagina (push)
stage 3 = baby is born and placenta separates from uterine wall
◉ premature birth (preterm). Answer: baby born before 37 weeks
gestation (born too early)
- higher risk - medical complications
