Sex and Gender

• What is sex?

  Biologically determined by genetic makeup, mainly by chromosomes.
• How is gender described?

  Described as masculine or feminine. Reflects the attitudes, behaviour and roles we associate with. More fluid than sex.
• What are sex-role stereotypes?

  • Shared expectations about acceptable behavior for males and females
  • Communicated through society and reinforced by various agents
  • Can lead to sexist assumptions
• How are sex-role stereotypes communicated in society?

  Through parents, peers, media, and institutions like schools
• What theory do studies of sex-role stereotyping support?

  The social learning theory of gender
• What did a study of TV adverts find about men and women?

  Men were shown in professional, autonomous contexts within professional contexts, women were shown in domestic settings

  demonstrates existence of sex role stereotypes.
• What did Smith and Lloyd's study involve?

  Babies dressed in gender-appropriate clothes independent to their real sex. They were gender associated toys- girl clothes were called 'pretty'

  Suggests different treatment reinforces stereotypes