1.5 Problem 7
What is the difference between boys and girls in development ? Are
there measurable differences between boys and girls
(hormones/biology)?
What is the role of parents in gender? (nature vs nurture in gender)
Should parents have a role in gender identity?
What are the most common theories?
Gender- cognitive and social differences between males and females
Sex- biological and physiological differences
Gender roles- sets of expectations that prescribe how females or males
should think, act, feel
Gender typing- acquisition of traditional masculine or feminine role
Gender stereotypes- beliefs that members of entire culture may hold
about the attitudes and behaviours acceptable and appropriate
Gender identity- perception of themselves as masculine or feminine and
as having characteristics/interest that are appropriate to their gender
Expressive characteristics- nurturing, concerned with feelings,
empathetic, child orientated
Sexual orientation- describes whether someone is attracted to same-or
opposite gender individuals.
Sex-role Stereotypes
2 years old, associate certain tasks/possessions with men and women
3-4 years, children assign stereotypic occupations, toys, activities to
gender
5 years, associate personality traits with males/females
6-7 year olds, believe gender-role differences are built-in with biological
gender differences
9 years, understand some differences in behaviour is from
training/experience
Many societies:
Male role- controlling/manipulating environment
o Independent
o Assertive
o Dominant
o Competitive socially and in sexual relations
Female role- emotionally supporting family
o Passive
o Loving
o Sensitive
o Supportive to family and socially
Trad cultures (Middle Eastern and Asian societies)- more rigid stereotypes
African-American- raised w/ less stereotypes, especially about women
Mexican-American- clear gender roles
Mothers as professionals, less stereotype gender roles
, 3-6 years, especially rigid stereotyping
No Gender differences
o Sociability and nurturance
o Suggestibility/ tendency to conform
o Rote learning, simple repetitive tasks
o Self-esteem
o Verbal aggression (girls gossip, boys direct)
difficulties
x- autism x 4 likelier
Hormones/ Brain differences
Males:
o principle hormone= testosterone (androgen)
o sometimes more lateralised brains
Females
o principle hormone= oestrogen/progesterone
Prenatal and pubertal periods critical for hormonal action on development:
-foetal testosterone major determinant of anatomic sex
-foetal hormones, organise biological and psychological
predispositions for masculine or feminine
pubescent hormone surge activates predispositions
Females exposed high levels, androgens prenatally exhibit masculine
behaviours/interests even if raised as girls.
Hormones have an important influence on psychological functioning and
development.
Cognitive developmental theorists- children have active role in
constructing their own gender knowledge
Kohlberg’s Cognitive Developmental Theory
o children’s perception of themselves as more same-gender than
opposite-gender, starts young
o categorise people as male or female, find it rewarding to behave
in gender-appropriate manner, imitating same-gender models
3 phases:
Stage 1 (2-3 years): Acquire basic gender identity
Recognize themselves as either male or female
Stage 2 (4-5): Acquire gender stability
Accepting that males remain males and females remain
female
Stage 3 (6-7): Gender constancy
Recognize that superficial changes in appearance or
activities do not alter gender
What is the difference between boys and girls in development ? Are
there measurable differences between boys and girls
(hormones/biology)?
What is the role of parents in gender? (nature vs nurture in gender)
Should parents have a role in gender identity?
What are the most common theories?
Gender- cognitive and social differences between males and females
Sex- biological and physiological differences
Gender roles- sets of expectations that prescribe how females or males
should think, act, feel
Gender typing- acquisition of traditional masculine or feminine role
Gender stereotypes- beliefs that members of entire culture may hold
about the attitudes and behaviours acceptable and appropriate
Gender identity- perception of themselves as masculine or feminine and
as having characteristics/interest that are appropriate to their gender
Expressive characteristics- nurturing, concerned with feelings,
empathetic, child orientated
Sexual orientation- describes whether someone is attracted to same-or
opposite gender individuals.
Sex-role Stereotypes
2 years old, associate certain tasks/possessions with men and women
3-4 years, children assign stereotypic occupations, toys, activities to
gender
5 years, associate personality traits with males/females
6-7 year olds, believe gender-role differences are built-in with biological
gender differences
9 years, understand some differences in behaviour is from
training/experience
Many societies:
Male role- controlling/manipulating environment
o Independent
o Assertive
o Dominant
o Competitive socially and in sexual relations
Female role- emotionally supporting family
o Passive
o Loving
o Sensitive
o Supportive to family and socially
Trad cultures (Middle Eastern and Asian societies)- more rigid stereotypes
African-American- raised w/ less stereotypes, especially about women
Mexican-American- clear gender roles
Mothers as professionals, less stereotype gender roles
, 3-6 years, especially rigid stereotyping
No Gender differences
o Sociability and nurturance
o Suggestibility/ tendency to conform
o Rote learning, simple repetitive tasks
o Self-esteem
o Verbal aggression (girls gossip, boys direct)
difficulties
x- autism x 4 likelier
Hormones/ Brain differences
Males:
o principle hormone= testosterone (androgen)
o sometimes more lateralised brains
Females
o principle hormone= oestrogen/progesterone
Prenatal and pubertal periods critical for hormonal action on development:
-foetal testosterone major determinant of anatomic sex
-foetal hormones, organise biological and psychological
predispositions for masculine or feminine
pubescent hormone surge activates predispositions
Females exposed high levels, androgens prenatally exhibit masculine
behaviours/interests even if raised as girls.
Hormones have an important influence on psychological functioning and
development.
Cognitive developmental theorists- children have active role in
constructing their own gender knowledge
Kohlberg’s Cognitive Developmental Theory
o children’s perception of themselves as more same-gender than
opposite-gender, starts young
o categorise people as male or female, find it rewarding to behave
in gender-appropriate manner, imitating same-gender models
3 phases:
Stage 1 (2-3 years): Acquire basic gender identity
Recognize themselves as either male or female
Stage 2 (4-5): Acquire gender stability
Accepting that males remain males and females remain
female
Stage 3 (6-7): Gender constancy
Recognize that superficial changes in appearance or
activities do not alter gender
