Psychology- gender

• What are the definitions of sex and gender?

  • Sex: Biological, anatomical, and genetic differences between males and females.
  • Gender: Psychological and behavioral distinction between masculine and feminine traits.
• What is a sexual stereotype?

  A sexual stereotype is a culturally shared set of expectations of correct male and female behavior.
• What does androgyny refer to?

  Androgyny refers to having a balanced mixture of both masculine and feminine personality traits.
• What is the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)?

  The BSRI is a measure of androgyny where participants rate themselves on a seven-point scale on 60 characteristics.
• How are participants scored in the BSRI?

  Participants are scored on two dimensions: masculinity and femininity.
• What are the traits included in the BSRI?

  • 20 masculine traits: aggressive, independent, risk-taking.
  • 20 feminine traits: warm, cheerful, shy.
  • 20 neutral traits: reliable, adaptable.
• What did Bem argue about androgynous individuals?

  Bem argued that androgynous individuals are more psychologically healthy than others.
• What percentage of males and females were found to be androgynous in Bem's study?

  24 percent of males and 27 percent of females were found to be androgynous.
• What does high test-retest reliability of the BSRI indicate?

  It indicates that the BSRI produces consistent results over time.
• What type was added by Bem in the development of the BSRI in 1981?

  The undifferentiated type was added to identify people with few masculine or feminine traits.
• How can awareness of gender identity reduce gender stereotyping?

  Awareness of gender identity as separate from sex may reduce gender stereotyping.
• What did Adam Zamsherer find about masculine males and females?

  Zamsherer found that masculine males and females were better adapted in measures of assertiveness and self-efficacy.
• What are the limitations of the BSRI according to evaluations?

  • Oversimplifies gender identity.
  • Lacks temporal validity due to social changes.
  • Gender expression adapts depending on context.
• What did Smith and Lloyd find in their 1987 study?

  Smith and Lloyd found that adults gave toys according to sex role stereotypes when playing with babies dressed as the opposite sex.
• What did Mead find in her 1935 study about gender roles in tribal communities?

  Mead found examples of feminine males and masculine females in tribal communities in New Guinea.
• What is the role of chromosomes in determining biological sex?

  • The 23rd chromosome pair determines biological sex.
  • XX is female and XY is male.
  • The Y chromosome contains the sex-determining region.
• What do testes produce and what is their role?

  Testes produce androgens, which are male sex hormones that result in sex differences.
• How do hormones influence biological development?

  Hormones influence biological development, brain anatomy, and secondary sexual characteristics at puberty.
• What is testosterone linked to in males?

  Testosterone is linked to aggressive male behavior and the development of male genitals before birth.
• What is the role of estrogen in females?

  Estrogen regulates menstruation and is linked to irritability and caring behavior.
• What is oxytocin known as and what is its role?

  Oxytocin is known as the love hormone and promotes pair bonding and maternal behaviors.
• What did Van Bechthoven find about gender identity variance?

  Van Bechthoven found that 70% of the variance in gender identity was linked to genetics.
• What did Feasting discover about transgender genetic sequences?

  Feasting discovered 21 gene variations linked to pre-birth estrogen reception in transgender individuals.
• What did Wagner find about aggressive behavior in male mice?

  Wagner found that castrated male mice showed reduced aggressive behavior when injected with testosterone.
• What are the limitations of animal studies in gender research?

  • High experimental control.
  • Avoid ethical issues.
  • Limited application to humans.
• What are atypical sex chromosome patterns?

  Atypical sex chromosome patterns are variations in the 23rd pair of chromosomes from the typical XY male or XX female pattern.
• What is Klinefelter syndrome and its effects?

  Klinefelter syndrome (XXY) affects 1 in 660 biological males and leads to physical and cognitive difficulties.
• What are the psychological effects of Turner syndrome?

  Turner syndrome (X0) leads to cognitive difficulties like dyslexia and a high level of verbal skill.
• What are the evaluations of research on atypical sex chromosome patterns?

  • Research has led to hormone therapies.
  • Assumptions about typical development can be problematic.
  • Individuals with atypical patterns are statistically rare.
• What does Kohlberg's theory suggest about children's understanding of gender?

  Kohlberg's theory suggests that children's understanding of gender develops actively due to intellectual development and experience.
• What are the stages of gender identity development according to Kohlberg?

  1. Gender Identity (2-3 years): Awareness of own gender.
  2. Gender Stability (4-5 years): Awareness of fixed gender.
  3. Gender Consistency (over 5 years): Recognition of consistent gender over time.
• What did Salby and Frey find about children in the consistency stage?

  Salby and Frey found that children in the consistency stage preferred same-sex role models in videos.
• What did Martin and Little find about children's sex preferences?

  Martin and Little found that children as young as three showed strong sex preferences for toys and clothes.
• What did Kong find about gender differences in sex typing?

  Kong found that boys showed stronger sex typing than girls.
• What is cognitive gender development according to gender schema theory?

  • Gender schemas are mental representations of male and female behaviors.
  • Children develop gender schemas around two years old.
  • In-groups are members of the child's gender; out-groups are the opposite gender.
• What did Martin and Haversham find about children's gender schemas?

  Martin and Haversham found that children switched genders of people shown in activities to match gendered behavior.
• What did Alexander and Hines find about vervet monkeys and gendered objects?

  Alexander and Hines found that vervet monkeys preferred to play with gendered toys based on their sex.
• What does the psychodynamic theory suggest about gender development?

  • Gendered behavior comes from unconscious thought processes.
  • Development occurs at the phallic stage (4-5 years).
  • Resolution of the Oedipus and Electra complexes leads to identification with the same-sex parent.
• What is the Oedipus complex?

  The Oedipus complex is when boys develop sexual feelings towards their mother and see their father as a rival.
• What is the Electra complex?

  The Electra complex is when girls have penis envy and compete with their mother for their father's attention.