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Gender

Gender. The biosocial approach to gender development. Learning objectives. Explain what is meant by biosocial theory Be able to describe how concepts of gender are constructed Understand the critique of gender research offered by social constructionists. Social constructionist theory.

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Gender

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  1. Gender The biosocial approach to gender development

  2. Learning objectives • Explain what is meant by biosocial theory • Be able to describe how concepts of gender are constructed • Understand the critique of gender research offered by social constructionists.

  3. Social constructionist theory • The way people see and understand the world is constructed. • There is no objective reality. • Social context must always be taken into account.

  4. Interpretation of biological sex influences the way a child is treated. • The way the child is treated leads to the development of gender role behaviour and gender identity.

  5. Labelling • Labelling a baby as ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ influences behaviour towards the baby. • Smith and Lloyd (1978) found the same baby was treated differently depending on how they were dressed and the name they had.

  6. Masculinity and femininity • Ideas about ‘manliness’ and ‘womanliness’ are different between cultures • And change over time.

  7. Social role theory • Eagly and Wood (1999) • Men and women are assigned to roles • Man = hunter • Woman = homemaker • Due to physical differences • Psychological differences (aggressive, empathiser) follow.

  8. Debate • If the differences are brought about due to selective pressure (evolutionary theory) – • They are for the purpose of survival • Are innate • They are biologically determined • If the differences are socially constructed • They are more flexible (free will)

  9. Key points and research • Be aware of the David Reimer case study • And how this suggests that gender identity is biologically determined • Which goes against Money and Erhardt’s theory • The biosocial theory argues that behaivoural differences arise from interactions between biology and socialisation

  10. Key points continued • Social constructionist argue that ideas about gender are made rather than biologically programmed. • Language is important • Media is important • Changes between cultures and over time

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