Adolescent Psychology Chapter 5: Gender

What is Gender? Is there a difference between gender & sex? Gender refers to the psychological & sociocultural dimensions of being male or female. A gender role is a set of expectations that prescribes how females & males should think, act, & feel.

Biological Influences on Gender Puberty intensifies sexual aspects of gender attitudes & behaviors Anatomy is destiny… Freud & Erikson Evolutionary Psychology Behaviors differ by gender due to what has been adaptive and led to procreation over evolutionary history Gender & Brain development Not much research… 2007 study indicates, peak seems to correspond to pubertal development (earlier for girls) 2009 study indicates by early adulthood gender similarities are most notable In adult brain: - one part of hypothalamus involved in sexual bx larger in males than females – area of brain involved in visospacial skills tends to be larger in males – females brains tend to be smaller (head size) but females brains tend to have more folds allowing for more surface area of brain tissue for females than males. Brain difference findings are often inconsistent or not linked to actual psychological differences

Social Influences on Gender Social Role Theory: gender differences mainly result from the contrasting roles of males and females Females: less power, status, and resources Social hierarchy causes gender differences in power, assertiveness, and nurturing (Eagly, 2009) Parental Influences on Gender By example & by action Socialization Strategies Gender differences …independence, expectations, goals The social cognitive theory of gender Gender development is influenced by observation & imitation of others’ gender behavior, as well as by the rewards & punishments they experience for gender- appropriate & gender-inappropriate behavior Sibling Influences Others believe that gender differences mainly result from social experiences. Social Role Theory: gender differences mainly result from the contrasting roles of males and females, with females having less power and status and controlling fewer resources than men. –social hierarchy and division of labor are causes of gender differences in power, assertiveness, and nurturing (Eagly, 2009). Parents: provide the first model of gender bx Socialization strategies: parents interact different with their children

Social Influences on Gender Peers “Gender School” Teased or Reinforced…accepted or rejected Schools & Teachers Compliance, following rules, & being neat &orderly are valued & reinforced in many classrooms A large majority of teachers are females Boys are more likely than girls to have learning problems Boys are more likely than girls to be criticized School personnel tend to stereotype boys’ behavior as problematic. Is the classroom problematic for boys? So is the classroom problematic for girls? The Mass Media Adolescent heightened sensitivity to TV messages about gender roles Television shows directed at adolescents are extremely stereotyped in their portrayal of the sexes Influences sexism, body image… Peers: by mid to late childhood, preference for being with same sex peers, teaching and reinforcing Boys get more instruction and attention from teachers than boys. Boys are more likely to get lower grades, yet girls believe in their ability to succeed in academic settings less!! Boys tend to report more career oriented goals than girls do!

Cognitive Influences on Gender Individuals actively construct their gender world Observation, imitation, rewards, punishments Adolescent interacts with environment Internal motivation to conform -- acceptance Gender Schema Theory Gender-typing emerges as individuals gradually develop gender schemas of what is gender-appropriate and gender-inappropriate in their culture. Gender schema: cognitive structure that organizes the world in terms of “male” & “female” Observations, imitations, rewards, punishments – mechanisms by which gender develops Children and adolescents are internally motivated to conform with gender schemas Cognitive factors contribute to way adolescent think and act as female or male Through biological, social, and cognitive processe children develop their gender attitudes and bxs

Gender Stereotypes Gender stereotypes Sexism Are broad categories that reflect our impressions & beliefs about females & males. What is “feminine” & “masculine” Sexism Prejudice & discrimination against an individual because of his or her sex.

Gender Stereotypes

Gender Similarities & Differences Physical Similarities & Differences Life expectancy Brain differences ? Cognitive Similarities & Differences Math, (?) visuospatial, and verbal skills (?) Overall interest in academics Socioemotional Similarities & Differences Aggression Communication in relationships Prosocial bx – bx intended to benefit others Self-regulation of emotion and bx

Gender Similarities & Differences Some examples of brain differences: Portion of hypothalamus involved with sex tends to be larger in males than females Portions of corpus callosum tends to larger in females than in males Males tend to be better at visio-spatial skills Females tend to show more brain activity involved in emotional expression Female smaller brain, but more surface area than males **similarities and differences could be due to heredity and evolution AND/OR social experiences – remember we see learning in the brain!!

Socioemotional Similarities & Differences Aggression Physical vs. Relational Communication in Relationships Rapport talk: language of conversation and a way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships. Females enjoy rapport talk and conversation that is relationship oriented more than boys do. Report talk: Talk that gives information. Males tend to hold center stage though such verbal performances as storytelling, joking, and lecturing with information. Communication competence appears to vary with context Group size – girls more competent in large groups Speaking with peers or adults – girls talk with adults more Familiarity – self-assertive speech (boys use more) with unfamiliar individuals Age – gender difference in affiliative speech greatest during adolescence

More on Socioemotional… Prosocial Behavior: Girls Kind and considerate behavior (not sharing) Emotional self-regulation Boys are more likely to hide there “negative” emotions, beginning in childhood By SELF-REPORT…girls are more likely to experience sadness, shame, guilt in adolescence Boys tend to have lower emotional self-regulation skills, which can lead to behavior problems (self- control, impulse control, )

Similarities/Differences? Gender Controversy Extent of true gender differences Gender differences have been greatly exaggerated by mass media, pop psychology… Males & Females are similar on most psychological factors

Gender in Context Context Culture Education

Masculinity & Femininity Class participation time…

Androgyny Androgyny: presence of a high degree of both masculine & feminine traits Advocates of androgyny programs (in education) argue that traditional sex- typing is harmful for all students & especially has prevented many girls from experiencing equal opportunity

Problems with Traditional Masculinity in Adolescent Development “Boy code”: socialized to not show feelings & act tough Boys could benefit from being socialized to express anxieties & concerns Premarital sex Alcohol & drugs Delinquent activities

Critics of the Androgyny Perspective Gender-role Transcendence The view that when an individual’s competence is at issue, it should be conceptualized on a person basis rather than on the basis of masculinity, femininity, or androgyny (Pleck, 1983).

Developmental Changes & Junctures Gender intensification hypothesis Psychological & behavioral differences between boys & girls become greater during early adolescence This is due to increased socialization pressures to conform to traditional masculine & feminine gender roles Is Early Adolescence a Critical Juncture for Females? Awareness of male dominated culture Lack of value placed on intimacy vs. expected to be caring & altruistic To be selfish or selfless? Voice not valued?