Gendered Lives, Eighth Edition

1. Gendered Lives,Eighth Edition Chapter 2 Theoretical Approaches to Gender Development

2. Theoretical Approaches to Gender Theory = way to describe, explain, predict relationships Theories shape how we act and expect others to act Theories are practical

3. Theoretical Approaches to Gender Use theories to make sense of behaviors Theories about sex and gender affect thoughts and behaviors Theories influence how see yourself Theories help develop awareness

4. Theoretical Approaches to Gender Four types of gender theories: Focus on biology Emphasize interpersonal origins Concentrate on cultural influences Offer critical perspectives

5. Biological Theories of Gender Biological characteristics of sexes are basis of differences Influence of sex chromosomes Most females � XX Most males - XY

6. Biological Theories of Gender Several genes controlling intelligence located only on X Some aspects of male intelligence only inherited from mother Females may inherit intelligence from both parents

7. Biological Theories of Gender Primary gene responsible for social skills only on X Women more adept in social situations

8. Biological Theories of Gender X carries genes that influence intelligence and susceptibility to hereditary conditions

9. Biological Theories of Gender Y�s function is ensuring egg will evolve into male Larger variety in X More variation among women

10. Biological Theories of Gender Role of hormonal activity Estrogen � primarily female Produce good cholesterol Blood vessels more flexible Strengthens immune system

11. Biological Theories of Gender Role of hormonal activity Estrogen � primarily female Causes fat tissue to form around hips Impede liver function

12. Biological Theories of Gender Men have hormonal cycles Testosterone � primarily male Drug use, violent behavior Jockeying for power Attempts to dominate Physical expression of anger

13. Biological Theories of Gender Hormones influence cognitive abilities Men�s hormonal change is more gradual than women�s

14. Biological Theories of Gender Testosterone deficiency can lead to: Increase in body fat Moodiness and depression

15. Biological Theories of Gender Hormones influence skills and tendencies Girls favor trucks if mother had high levels of testosterone during pregnancy

16. Biological Theories of Gender Hormones influence skills and tendencies Males given estrogen experience: Decline in spatial skills Increase in verbal skills

17. Biological Theories of Gender Biological theories � differences in brain structure and development Each sex specializes in one side of brain

18. Biological Theories of Gender Men � better developed left lobes Linear thinking Sequential information Spatial skills Abstract, analytical reasoning

19. Biological Theories of Gender Women � better developed right lobes Aptitude for imaginative and artistic activity Holistic, intuitive thinking Visual and spatial tasks

20. Biological Theories of Gender Women use both sides of brain for language tasks Prefrontal cortex larger Restrains aggression Insula is larger Affects intuition and empathy

21. Biological Theories of Gender Male amygdala is larger Controls emotions like anger and fear

22. Biological Theories of Gender Corpus callosum links two lobes of brain Women have greater ability to use Men listen with left brain

23. Biological Theories of Gender Corpus callosum links two lobes of brain Women listen with both sides Men better able to use left side for directions

24. Biological Theories of Gender Splenium � fold of connecting tissue in corpus callosum Larger in women Increased verbal abilities

25. Biological Theories of Gender Forces of biology evident in gender re-assignment cases David Reimer Penis amputated in surgery Could not accept self as �girl� Later surgically returned to male

26. Biological Theories of Gender Controversy about strength of biological forces Those with extreme view � biological factors determine abilities and behaviors Others argue biology edited by environmental factors

27. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development Psychodynamic theories assume relationships are central to human development

28. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development The first important relationship is with primary caregiver Influences how infant comes to define identity

29. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development Infants develop sense of self and gender identity as internalize views of others Internalizing creates basic structure of psyche

30. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development Mother may act differently toward daughters and sons Infants follow distinct paths that reflect relationship with mother

31. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development Fundamental likeness between mother and daughter Interact more with daughters Keep daughters closer More nurturing Allows infant girl to import mother into her self

32. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development Full identification between mother and son less likely Encourage more independence Talk less about emotional matters To establish identity � boy differentiates himself from mother

33. Psychodynamic Theories of Gender Development Identity is not static Grows and changes as we interact with others As infants mature, carry with them basic identity formed in first relationship

34. Psychological Theories of Gender Development Focus on interpersonal bases of gender Do not emphasize intrapsychic process Highlight influence of communication on gender

35. Social Learning Theory Learn by imitating others and getting responses to behavior Behaviors that are rewarded reinforced Behaviors that are punished or seen as neutral rejected Social world amplifies personal inclinations

36. Social Learning Theory Views children as passive in process Suggests reinforcement process continues through lifetime

37. Cognitive Development Theory Children play active role in developing gender identity Pick models to teach themselves competency in masculine or feminine behavior

38. Cognitive Development Theory Children go through several stages in developing identity Birth to 24-30 months � search communication for labels to apply to self

39. Cognitive Development Theory Children go through several stages in developing identity 3 or earlier � realize being boy or girl not temporary Gender constancy

40. Cognitive Development Theory As children mature, continue to seek role models Boys learn aggressiveness is masculine

41. Cognitive Development Theory Girls learn being physically attractive is feminine Children who witness violence may follow model

42. Cultural Theories of Gender Focus on understanding gender from cultural perspective Do not dispute biological or interpersonal factors Assume qualified by influence of culture

43. Anthropology Views of gender in 21st century America clarified by viewing how other cultures express gender

44. Anthropology Tahitian men � gentle Aboriginal fathers � no say in daughters� marriages Samoan males � tattoo lower body Mbuti � don�t discriminate

45. Anthropology Mukogodo � higher value on females Orango Island � women choose mates Dominican Republic � some males born with underdeveloped organs

46. Anthropology Many Native American groups had matrilineal systems Not necessarily matriarchal Viewed women as relatively autonomous Created category of two spirit

47. Symbolic Interactionism Through communication with others we learn who we are As parents interact with children then tell them who they are Each label offers child self-image Children internalize views to arrive at understanding

48. Symbolic Interactionism Views of gender communicated Through parents� responses Play activities with peers Through interaction with teachers

49. Symbolic Interactionism Role = set of expected behaviors and values associated with them External to individuals Roles assigned by society

50. Symbolic Interactionism One primary way to classify social life � gender roles Women as caretakers Women represented in service and clerical jobs Men as breadwinners Men seen as leaders

51. Symbolic Interactionism Role is internalized Learn different roles for men and women Learn unequal values assigned to them

52. Critical Theories Direct attention to structures by which societies classify people Interested in how dominant groups privilege own interests and impose on less powerful Understand how oppressed groups can become empowered

53. Standpoint Theory Societies are made of different groups that are organized in social hierarchy Membership in groups shape what individuals experience

54. Standpoint Theory Dates back to writings of Hegel and Marx Nature of slavery perceived different if master or if slave Where power relationships exist, no single perspective Our work shapes our identity All views partial

55. Standpoint Theory Social location is not standpoint Standpoint earned through critical reflection and engaging in struggle

56. Standpoint Theory Powerful have vested interest in preserving their place Views may be more distorted Unlikely to develop oppositional politics

57. Standpoint Theory Subordinate groups may have fuller understandings Have to understand both perspectives May see world with less bias

58. Standpoint Theory Marginalized perspectives can inform all about how society operates Understandings of women and men based on location in socially constructed groups

59. Standpoint Theory Demands of role lead mothers to develop maternal thinking Arises out of location in domestic settings Men who are primary caregivers More nurturing and expressive

60. Standpoint Theory Biological influences called into question Men with higher SES do not display destructive aggression

61. Standpoint Theory Can earn or develop multiple standpoints that overlap and interact Possibility of developing different standpoints that reflect political awareness

62. Queer Performative Theory Queer performative theory defies conventional categories Trouble our thinking Trouble provoke productive

63. Queer Theory Critique of conventional categories of identity and culture views of normal and abnormal Queer does not refer only to gays and lesbians Refers to anything that departs from what society considers normal

64. Queer Theory Arose from of gay and lesbian studies Initial focus � heteronormality Implications for understandings of sexuality Aims to enlarge appreciation of range of identities

65. Queer Theory Not useful to use terms like women, men, gay, straight Essentialize by focusing on only one aspect of person Erase variation among those in categories

66. Queer Theory Assumes identities are not fixed � relatively fluid

67. Performative Theory Through performance humans generate identity Gender comes into being only as expressed Gender is something we do at specific times Gender as verb, not noun

68. Performative Theory We express conventional gender through everyday practices We resist conventional views of gender if act in ways that are inconsistent Performances are collaborative

69. Performative Theory Queer performative theories integrate views of queers and performative theory Important are performances that are routine Political tools that unsettle