Session 6.2: Gender and Identity

Learning Objectives

• Describe different perspectives of conceptualizing gender in developmental psychology

• explain how children learn abt gender and how it is presented in play

• explain attribution theory and its use in describing every day interactions

Attribution Theory: how we see ourselves and others

• internal attribution: assumption

  • “inside” factors contribute to observed events

• external attribution

  • “outside” factors contribute to observed events

• attribution error: wrongly attribute to an effect we see happening

Gender

• toddlers start showing preference for gender stereotypes around the age of 2

• 3-4 years olds understand gender constancy → understand they are a boy or a girl, understand gender is part of their identity

• gender appropriate behaviors are more likely to be rewarded by adults

  • socialization and social learning

  • operant conditioning (punishment for negative behaviors)

Gender - psychoanalytical prespective

• Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

  • Gender defined as conflict between the subconscious and the presence (absence) of a penis

    • Ego, superego, Id

• Oedipus complex (men)/electra complex (women)

• Explain internal conflict and what it does to identity

Gender - social constructivist perspective

something we have agreed can always change

Gender in psychology

Butler, 2006

• Gender are socially constructed relational, hierarchical, historical, contextual and institutional norms and behaviors

• Gender isn’t something one is but something one does

• Performing a gender role → social constructive perspective

Summary

• Attribution theory: behaviors are explained by attributing internal or external factors

• Social learning and play: children learn behaviors through play; they learn, test, and train social expectations

  • Games and toys mimic social expectations (lego)

• Gender

  • psychoanalytical perspective

  • social constructivist perspective