1 Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences Lecture 11

2 Scoring Your Questionnaire: ASI Reverse score items 3, 6, 7, 13, 18, and 21: If you selected 5 for the item, change your score on that item to 0. If you selected 4 for the item, change your score on that item to 1. If you selected 3 for the item, change your score on that item to 2. If you selected 2 for the item, change your score on that item to 3. If you selected 1 for the item, change your score on that item to 4. If you selected 0 for the item, change your score on that item to 5. Continued on next slide ….

3 Scoring Your Questionnaire: ASI (continued) Compute the following averages: Score 1: Add your scores on items 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21. Divide total by 11. Score 2: Add your scores on items 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 22. Divide your total by 11.

4 Scoring Your Questionnaire: AMI Compute the following averages: Score 1: Add your scores on items 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19. Divide total by 10. Score 2: Add your scores on items 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 13, 16, 18, 20. Divide your total by 10.

5 History of Research on Gender Psychology and Gender Stereotypes 2. What are gender stereotypes? 1.What theories and research characterize the history of gender psychology? (continued)

6 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. describe major shifts in theory and research on sex and gender between 1982 and present day. 2. define the term “gender-role strain.” 3. describe current theories and measures of gender-role strain. 4. discuss the relationship between gender-role strain and psychological adjustment.

7 5. define the term: gender stereotype. 6. discuss the functions of gender stereotypes.

8  Consistent with the social constructionist view, there is increasing emphasis on (a) the social factors that contribute to sex differences and (b) the diversity of human experience (i.e., intersectionality). 2. Social influences on gender. What theories and research characterize the history of gender psychology? (continued) F – Present: Gender as a Social Category (continued)

9  The emphasis on social influences on gender has generated substantial interest in and research on gender-role strain.

10  The bulk of research on gender-role strain has focused on males. This research has identified several sources of gender-role strain among males: Fear of: physical inadequacy, emotional expressiveness, subordination to women, intellectual inferiority, and performance failure.

11  Measures of gender-role strain among males include the Gender-Role Conflict Scale (O’Neil et al., 1986) and the Masculine Gender Role Stress Scale (MGRSS; Eisler & Skidmore, 1987).

12 Sample Items from the MGRSS (Eisler & Skidmore, 1987) Losing in a sports competition Having your lover say that she/he is not sexually satisfied. Telling someone that you feel hurt by what she/he said. Admitting that you are afraid of something. Having a female boss. Being married to someone who makes more money than you. Having people say that you are indecisive. Working with people who seem more ambitious than you. Being unable to become sexually aroused when you want. Not making enough money. Items reflect fear of: physical inadequacy; emotional expressiveness; subordination to women; intellectual inferiority; performance failure.

13 Correlations Among MGRSS Scores, Anger, State- Anxiety, and Trait Anxiety (Eilser & Skidmore, 1987) AngerState-AnxietyTrait-Anxiety MGRSS.54**.23*.22* *p<.05, **p<.01

14 Straight Edge

15  Similar research (Gillespie & Eisler, 1992) has identified several sources of gender-role strain among females: Fear of: unemotional relationships, physical unattractiveness, victimization, behaving assertively, not being nurturant.

16  Measures of gender-role strain among females include the Feminine Gender Role Stress Scale (FGRSS; Gillespie & Eisler, 1992).

17 Sample Items from the FGRSS (Gillespie & Eisler, 1992) Being considered promiscuous. Being pressured for sex when seeking affection from your mate. Being perceived by others as overweight. Being unable to change your appearance to please someone. Hearing a strange noise while you are home alone. Feeling that you are being followed by someone. Trying to be a good parent and excel at work. Supervising older and more experienced employees at work. Returning to work soon after your child is born. A very close friend stops speaking to you. Items reflect fear of: unemotional relationships; physical unattractiveness; victimization; behaving assertively; not being nurturant.

18 Daily HasslesDepression FGRSS.43*.31* Correlations Among FGRSS Scores, Daily Hassles, and Depression (Gillespie & Eisler, 1992) *p<.01

19 What are gender stereotypes? This individual is an accomplished 20 th century political figure who, prior to entering politics, worked as a research chemist and as a tax attorney. This internationally recognized public figure was known to be a loving and involved parent, and had gained a reputation for always being well coifed and tastefully dressed.

20 Gender stereotypes: Cognitive schemas that reflect beliefs about the shared characteristics of females and the shared characteristics of males. May be positive, negative, or neutral. Gender stereotypes are automatically activated, influencing perceptions of others and interpretations of others’ behaviours.

21 History of Research on Gender Psychology and Gender Stereotypes 2. What are gender stereotypes? 1.What theories and research characterize the history of gender psychology? (continued)