Chapter 13 – Gender Differences

I. Sex vs. Gender Sex = male/female Gender = What society views as APPROPRIATE for males/females

II. Role of Hormones Hormones – chemical agents that cause physical changes in the body. Androgen – male hormone Estrogen – female hormone * NOTE= each sex has BOTH just one is in greater quantity

III. Male/Female Differences Reproduction is the ONLY activity that is absolutely gender specific. All others are TRENDS.

IV. Trends Physical : Males: bulkier/stronger Females: fewer genetic defects, live longer, greater physical endurance

Trends cont’d… Nuturance: Women more nurturing of others Helping – If the person is known – women. Stranger - men

Trends cont’d… Aggression: Men more than women Likely hormonal Situational differences Situational Differences: Men in Cars/Crowds. Women in stores and female/female situations

Trends cont’d… Activity: Infant males more active Infant females smile more Societal influences growing up Society plays a role: Boys – Sports encourage activity Girls – Dolls which have faces that are always smiling

Trends cont’d… Intelligence: Males/females very close Environmental Influences 1. 2. 3. 4. Spacial Skills – At about age 11 boys begin to do better than girls. Why? – Video games. With practice girls quickly catch up. Mathematics – By age 13, boys scored better on math tests, girls do better in math classes Verbal – Girls do better. As they move through adolescence, the advantage of grils declines Enviromental Influences Teachers call on boys more; asked to expand on thoughts More mathematical toys given to boys Sports At Jr. High girls intelligence/grades drop; convinced by the system they must appear “dumb” to appeal to guys. They rebound soon after.

Trends cont’d… Societal Trends: 1. Self-confidence 2. Friendships 3. Break-ups 4. Drive for success 5. Communication 6. Selecting a Mate Same until high school. Adolescence brings a decline in female self-confidence Both sexes need friends as a source of emotional support/acceptance. Difference=boys have a leader; girls are all of equal status Women more often to initate it. Men suffer more and longer Equal in men and women Men talk more, interrupt more, touch more. Women reveal more about themselves. Boys sit side by side to talk; girls sit face to face. Women = socioeconomic status, character, intelligence Men = physical attractiveness, sense of humor, personality

V. Gender Role Behavior Acts that reflect a society’s views of what is appropriate for males/females. Identification – process of modeling behavior patterns after (usually) members of the same sex. Androgyny – The quality of having both masculine/feminine characteristics