What are the three stages in gender development
Gender identity (2-3) Gender stability (4-5) Gender constancy (6-7)
What happens in the gender identity stage
Children begin to label themselves and others as a boy or girl based on external appearance. They don’t understand gender is fixed over time and situation
What happens in the gender stability stage
Children recognise that gender remains constant over time, but it is still based on appearance
What happens in the gender constancy stage
Children realise gender is invariant despite changes in appearance, dress or activity. They seek same sex playmates and engage in gender stereotyped behaviour
What is the evolutionary account for gender development
Certain traits facilitate survival and transmission of genes therefore these traits are favoured over generations.
Evidence against evolutionary account for gender development x3
- ) it can’t account for similarities or differences in general behaviour, only those involved in mating and child rearing
- ) it doesn’t specify any mechanisms to explain developmental changes
- ) Its very descriptive and lacks scientific rigour
What is the hormone account for gender development
They are focused on the role of androgens (hormones that cause physical development eg testosterone). Fluctuations in androgens influence behaviour
Evidence against the hormone account for gender development x2
- ) The causal link between hormones and behaviour hasn’t been established
- ) Transgender children look different from children of their own sex so its hard to disentangle hormonal from social influences
What is the cognitive theory for gender development
Children develop concepts of gender from those around them through observation and practice. Once they develop gender constancy they positively value their gender identity, this happens at a similar age as passing Piagetian conservation tasks.. It makes sense to learn about gender stereotyped behaviour when you realise you gender is constant,
What is the gender schema theory for gender development
Once children form gender schemas they can begin to include stereotypical behaviour. Children are expected to behave according to their own gender schema . Gender stereotypes develop own preschool and are more expressed in boys than girls
Whats is the social cognitive theory for gender development
This proposes that personal, environmental and behavioural factors influence gender development. Gendered behaviour develops by tuition, inactive behaviour and observational learning
What is tuition with example
When children are directly taught gendered behaviours (boys mow the lawn, girls do the cooking)
What is enactive behaviour
When children learn to guide their own behaviour by considering reactions from others. Develops through conditioning - gender appropriate behaviour is praised
Whats observational learning
Seeing other behave and watching the consequences of their behaviour on others reactions.
Why is gender-typing more rigid for boys than girls
Fathers often play a role in instilling stereotypical behaviour in their sons. Could be evolutionary as feminine behaviour was seen as lower in status
How does marketing influences effect gender behaviour
Toys are often gendered which encourages children to buy gender appropriate toys
How does gender-typing effect children mathematical skills
Although teachers consider boys and girls to be equally good at maths, they also consider men to be better than women. The only differences at school emerge in late adolescence and only in the high performing students. Girls show maths anxiety and less confidence
How does gender-typing effect spatial skills
Boys receive more praise for outdoor play and therefore are better at mental rotation, spacial perception and spacial visualisation. The difference is more prominent in mental rotation.
How does gender-typing effect aggression
Male are more directly aggressive and females indirectly aggressive. This could be due to a females lower strength. Female groups tend to be smaller and closer so indirect aggression hurts more as it targets relationships closely. Female are also discouraged from being physically aggressive so use indirect methods instead
What is the male variability hypothesis
Males are more likely to be at the ends of the intelligence spectrum whereas females centre around the median. This was explained by saying that education was more useful to men than women
Flaws of the male variability hypothesis
- ) its not been empirically established that men were more anatomically variable than women
- ) Even if it were established that men were more variable in mental traits this wouldn’t mean men were innately more variable
- ) Any possible differences in variability between men and women must consider the fact that women lacked the opportunity to achieve eminence because of their prescribed societal and cultural roles
Whats the gender similarity hypothesis
Hyde reviewed studies that had each analysed evidence for gender difference in hundred of studies across 128 domains including strength, moral reasoning, cheating, problem solving, self-esteem and leadership. 30% reported close to 0 effect, 48% small effects and 22% medium effects. Hyde concluded men and women were more alike than different
