sex/gender/sex-role sterotypes

• sex

  biological differences between males and females including differences in chromosomes, hormones and anatomy

  • it is determined by one pair of chromosomes
  • these chromosomes then influence hormonal differences as well as differences in anatomy such as reproductive organs, body shape and hair growth
• gender

  psychological, social and cultural background between males and females including attitudes, behaviours and social roles

  • heavily influenced by social norms and cultural expectations
  • sex is innate and the result of nature whilst gender is mostly environmentally determined and due to nature
• sex-role stereotypes

  set of shared expectations that people within a society or culture hold about what is acceptable beahviour for men and women

  • these expectations are communicated throughout society and reinforced by parents, peers and the media
  • these may lead to sexist assumptions such as women will not have the capacity to cope with a position of high responsibility in the workplace
• key study - Seavey et al. (1975)

  aim: to see whether the gender label attached to a baby affected adult responses and interactions with the baby

  method: a 3 month old infant was dresses in a yellow baby suit. 1/3 of ppts were told it was female 1/3 told it was male and 1/3 were not given a label. ppts were left to interact with the child for 3 mins. in the room there were toys: ball, doll, plastic rings
• key study - Seavey et al. (1975)

  results: labelled as female - ppts more likely to use doll, labelled as male - ppts more likely to use the plastic rings, no label - ppts spontaneously decided a sex for the infant "a boy because she had strong grip" or "a girl because she had soft skin"

  conclusions: adults will interact differently with infants depending on whether they believe they are male or female. this is based on sex-role stereotypes