Developmental Psych Chap 13 Gender Role Development

What is the definition of sex?

A person's biological identity, including chromosomes, physical identity, and hormones.

What is the definition of gender?

A person's social and cultural identity.

In terms of verbal ability, which sex tends to develop language earlier?

Girls tend to develop language earlier than boys - out preform on reading and writing

Which sex tends to outperform the other in visual/spatial abilities?

Boys tend to outperform girls

Which sex tends to outperform the other in math ability?

Boys but only peaks in adolescence with little difference between them in childhood - suggests it is learned

How do boys and girls differ in terms of aggression?

Boys show more overt aggression (physical), while girls show more covert aggression (relational).

What does effect size indicate in the context of sex differences?

Effect size tells us how meaningful the significance of differences is, but does not predict individual performance based on sex/gender alone.

What are two main reasons for sex differences?

Biological factors like prenatal hormones and environmental factors like social learning, reinforcement and modelling

What is stereotype threat?

The anxiety about performing a task due to stereotypes associated with that task, leading to poorer performance (self fulfilling prophecy)

Example effects of stereotype threat on young children

Girls are shown that math is supposed to be harder for them, which makes them anxious to try in case they fall into the stereotype so they avoid trying and end up not as skilled as boys

What are gender role standards?

Behaviors, values, or motives considered more appropriate for a specific sex by society.

What is gender typing?

The process by which children acquire gender roles - what point do they label themselves and act in line with stereotypes

Theoretical steps towards developing gender identity

1. Discriminate males from females, 2. Label males vs females, 3. Sex as a permanent attribute

How do children see gender before developing gender identity/ seeing it as a permanent attribute

See gender as fluid like any other trait

What are the three components of gender typing?

Gender identity, gender role stereotypes, and gender-typed patterns of behavior.

At what age do children typically recognize their gender identity?

Around 5 years of age - see it as a permanent attribute

When does stereotyping begin to emerge in children?

Stereotyping is evident at age 2 or 3.

How do children aged 3-7 typically conform to gender stereotypes?

They exhibit very strict conformity to stereotypes for themselves and others Ex. believing all people with long hair are girls and it is morally bad to break gender rules)

What happens to children's understanding of gender stereotypes around ages 8-9?

They become more flexible and understand that breaking stereotypes is not a moral failing.

What advances development of gender typed behaviour?

Gender segregation in play - works to reinforce stereotypes by surrounding themselves with same gender and being encouraged to play in the same way/with same type of toys

What is gender schema theory?

The theory that children form schemas about gender to interpret social experiences and behaviors

- first develop an in group/out group schema and then an own sex schema

Own sex schema

detailed knowledge of what play behaviors are consistent with their own gender role

What is the significance of the in-group/out-group schema in gender schema theory?

It helps children categorize information about genders before developing detailed schemas about their own sex.

Study showing evidence of gender schema in chlidren

Children between 4-9 were showed gender neutral toys but told which ones were "boy" vs "girl" objects

When they came back later they remembered and played with the objects that were for them

What did research find about transgender children AND their siblings aged 3 to 5 regarding gender identity?

They are more likely than cisgender controls to report that gender identities could change.

What effect does exposure to transgender identities have on beliefs about gender in children?

It influences beliefs about gender early on, promoting greater tolerance for gender non-conformity.

What percentage of transgender individuals reported a better quality of life after medical transition?

80% of 2000 transgender individuals.

What is one suggestion for reducing the effects of gender stereotypes?

Encourage more mixed-sex groups for play to facilitate learning from each other.

What is the role of parents in shaping children's gender roles?

Parents often direct children towards gendered toys and activities from a very early age.

What is the impact of parental and teacher expectations on children's academic performance?

Expectations shape how children interpret their abilities and choices, influencing their performance.

What is the difference in gender-typed behavior between boys and girls during childhood?

Girls are afforded more flexibility in cross-sex activities than boys, who find it more difficult to cross gender lines.

Small but reliable psychological differences between sexes

verbal ability, visual spatial abilities, mathematical ability (though only in adolescence) and aggression types