Biosocial Approach Gender Development

Gender Characteristics, whether biological or socially influenced, by which people define male and female WomenMen Describe themselves in more relational terms Experience more relationship-linked emotions More empathetic Gravitate toward jobs that reduce inequalities Focus on tasks and on connections with large groups Respond to stress with “fight or flight” response Gravitate toward jobs that enhance inequalities

Division of labour Why are men seen as the “breadwinners” or hunter gatherers? Why are women often given the role of homemaker and child minder? Does our society today still benefit from gender roles or is it becoming more similar?

Exceptions Agta Tribe (Philippines) Aka Tribe (Africa) Diana Hunting Goddess

Women during the Wars Mechanics Engineers Tank drivers Building ships Working in factories - making bombs and aircraft parts Air raid wardens Driving fire engines Plumbers Ambulance drivers WRVS volunteers Nurses

Biosocial Theory Money and Ehrhardt (1972) Parental expectations

Social Role Theory Eagly and Wood (1999)

What about sex differences in mate choice? Resources Domestic Compliment each other

Gender and Mating Preferences – Men seek out quantity Spreading genes widely – Women seek out quality Protecting and nurturing of offspring

Equal Pay Maternity cover

Hormonal differences Are these differences a cause or an outcome? Eagly and Wood (2002) – hormonal differences may be an outcome of social roles e.g. testosterone as a result of engaging in more active and competitive activities

Gender and Hormones – Gender gap in aggression seems influenced by testosterone – As humans age they become more androgynous Mixing both masculine and feminine characteristics

Social Constructionist Approach Eagly and Wood Human behaviour is mainly an invention or outcome of a particular society or culture Behaviours are best explained in the context in which thy occur Luxen (2007) High ethical appeal if sex roles are perceived as more flexible

Buss (1989) 37 cultures examined 10,000 people  Women desire mates with good financial prospects  Men placed more evidence on physical attractiveness and youth- fertility and obedience  Both look for intelligence, kindness and loyal/dependable (supports evolutionary) Eagly & Wood (1999)  Used Gender Empowerment Measure  When women had higher status (more equal) – mating preferences become less pronounced  Therefore social roles are driving force in psychological sex differences However, Gangestad et al (2006) Re-examined same data Gender equality not related to sex differences. Therefore evolutionary theory better explanation

Culture Peer-Transmitted Culture – 50 percent of individual variations in personality traits is by parental nurturing – The other 50 percent is peer influence Gender Role Set of behavior expectations (norms) for males and females Gender roles vary over culture Gender roles vary over time