1. Chapter 13 – Gender Differences

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

3. 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

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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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