Gender Roles and Relationships

Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

I.

Definitions:
A. sex B. gender identity C. gender role

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Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

II. Nature or Nurture? (Biology vs. Environment)

A. Biological Evidence We display masculine and feminine traits based on our biology, genetic influences
1. Babies injected at birth with opposite sex hormones take on characteristics of the opposite sex, animal and human studies 2. Inherent biological differences which influence behavior males vs. female brains, hormones which influence aggression/emotionality 3. Universal differences across cultures men more aggressive, women more nurturing

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Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

B. Cultural Evidence We learn to masculine and feminine traits based on our culture/environmental influences
1. Research Mead Study 3 New Guinea Tribes Raised in Separate Environments:
a) Arapesh men and women displayed feminine traits, both males and females trained to be cooperative, unaggressive and responsive to others Mundugumor men and women developed masculine traits, they were ruthless and aggressive, not maternal Tchambuli roles were reversed, women became dominant and impersonal, men less responsible and more dependent

b) c)

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Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

2. Sources of cultural influence

a. b. Parents Children identify and model behavior of same sex parents Media (Television and Movies) 1) males and females depicted differently in movies, TV School Gender concepts are taught in the classroom 1) toys 2) professions encouraged 3) behaviors rewarded differently

c.

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Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

III. Masculine and Feminine Stereotypes

A. Masculinity more instrumental traits B. Femininity more expressive traits C. Problems with stereotypes forcing everyone to fit the same mold limits personality and personal achievement women need assertiveness in career world, men need sensitivity and cooperation in family world

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Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

IV.

Gender Roles in Relationships

A. Men initiate in some areas still, women follow planning dates, paying for dates, first kiss, marriage proposals, etc. B. Double standards men are more sexually aggressive and more promiscuous, women are more judged/criticized for the same behaviors C. Women as givers, men as receivers D. In families, women are still doing 2x as much of the housework and childcare despite being more in the work force
1. 2.
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reasons for this possible solutions

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Psychology 321 - Psychology of Marriage

Gender Roles and Relationships

V.

Androgyny
A. Today there is a gradual mixing of male and female characteristic, people choose behaviors in response to the situation B. Some indication this may be psychologically healthier C. Some arguments against this D. See Bem and Spence questionnaire

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