Psychology of Gender

Vicki S. Helgeson, accomplished scholar and teacher from Carnegie Mellon University, draws from research in the areas of psychology, sociology, anthropology, medicine, and public health to explore the roles that society has assigned to men and women. Other variables, such as sex, status, and gender-related traits, are addressed and contribute to the understanding of the individual in the social context in this exciting new introductory text.

IN THIS SECTION:

1.) BRIEF

2.) COMPREHENSIVE





 

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Methods and History of Gender Research

Chapter 3: Gender-Role Attitudes

Chapter 4: Sex-Related Comparisons: Observations

Chapter 5: Sex-Related Comparisons: Theory

Chapter 6: Achievement

Chapter 7: Communication

Chapter 8: Friendship

Chapter 9: Romantic Relationships

Chapter 10: Sex Differences in Health: Evidence and Explanations

Chapter 11: Relationships and Health

Chapter 12: Paid Worker Role and Health

Chapter 13: Mental Health





 

COMPREHENSIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS:

 



Chapter 1: Introduction


Definition of Terms
Cultural Differences in the Construal of Gender
Cultures with Multiple Genders
Morocco
The Agta Negrito
Tahiti
Status and Culture
Philosophical and Political Issues Surrounding Gender
The Sex Difference Debate
Social Construction of Gender
Women’s Movements
Men’s Movements
A Note On Sexist Language
This Book’s Approach to the Study of Gender
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms

 

Chapter 2: Methods and History of Gender Research
The Scientific Method
Correlational Study
Experimental Study
Field Experiment
Cross-Sectional Versus Longitudinal Designs
Difficulties in Conducting Research on Gender
Experimenter Effects
Participant Effects
The Setting: Laboratory Versus Field
Variables Confounded with Sex
Situational Influences
History of the Psychology of Gender
1894—1936: Sex Differences in Intelligence
1936—1954: M/F as a Global Personality Trait
1954—1982: Sex Typing and Androgyny
1982—Present: Gender as a Social Category
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms

 

Chapter 3: Gender-Role Attitudes
Attitudes Toward Men’s and Women’s Roles
Affective Component: Sexism
Traditional Versus Modern Sexism
Hostile Versus Benevolent Sexism
Sexism Toward Men
Attitudes toward Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) Persons
Cognitive Component: Gender-Role Stereotyping
What Is a Gender-Role Stereotype?
Components of Gender-Role Stereotypes
Gender-role Stereotypes of Older People
Gender-role Stereotypes of People Who Vary in Ethnicity or Culture
Stereotypes of Homosexuals
Children’s Stereotypes
Subcategories of Gender-Role Stereotypes
Effects of Gender-Role Stereotypes
Altering Gender-Role Stereotypes
Do Stereotypes Reflect Reality?
What Is the Status of Stereotypes Today?
Behavioral Component: Sex Discrimination
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms

 

Chapter 4: Sex-Related Comparisons: Observations
Maccoby and Jacklin’s Psychology of Sex Differences
Meta-Analysis
Sex Comparisons in Cognitive Abilities
Spatial Ability
Mathematical Ability
Verbal Ability
Comprehensive Assessment of Cognitive Abilities
Sex Comparisons in Social Domains
Empathy
Helping Behavior
Aggression
Sexuality
General Personality Attributes
Sex Comparisons in Moral Development
Sex Comparisons in Social Development
Sex Similarities Hypothesis Revisited
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 5: Sex-Related Comparisons: Theory
Biology
Genes
Hormones
The Brain
Psychobiosocial Models
Evolutionary Theory and Sociobiology
Sexual Behavior
Aggression
The Hunter-Gatherer Society
A Final Note
Psychoanalytic Theory
Social Learning Theory
Observational Learning or Modeling
Reinforcement
Gender-Role Socialization
The Influence of Parents
The Influence of Other People
Other Features of the Environment
Social Role Theory
Cognitive Development Theory
Gender Schema Theory
Considering the Context: Deaux and Major’s Model
Perceiver
Target
Situation
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 6: Achievement
Individual Difference Factors
The Achievement Motive
Fear of Achievement
Self-Confidence
Response to Evaluative Feedback
Self-Esteem
Stereotype Threat
Conceptions of the Self
Attributions for Performance
Social Factors
Expectancy/Value Model of Achievement
The Influence of Parents
The Influence of Teachers
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 7: Communication
Interaction Styles in Childhood
Children’s Styles of Play
Girls’ Difficulty in Influencing Boys
Institutional Support
Interaction Styles in Adulthood
Qualifiers of Sex Differences
Implications of Interaction Styles for Performance
Language
Qualifiers of Sex Differences
Nonverbal Behavior
Smiling
Gazing
Interpersonal Sensitivity
Encoding
Touching
Leadership and Influenceability
Who Is Influenced?
Who Emerges as the Leader?
Leadership Styles
Perception of Female and Male Leaders
Emotion
The Experience of Emotion
The Expression of Emotion
Physiological Measures of Emotion
Attributions for Emotion
Explanations for Sex Differences in Communication
Status Theory
Social Role Theory
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 8: Friendship
Network Size
The Nature of Friendship
Sex Differences
Sex Similarities
Closeness of Friendship
Self-Disclosure
Sex of Discloser
Sex of Recipient
Situational Variables
Barriers to Closeness in Male Friendship
Competition
Homophobia
Emotional Inexpressiveness
Conflict in Friendship
Cross-Sex Friendship
Comparisons to Same-Sex Friendship
Obstacles
Cross-Race Friendship
Friendships of Lesbians and Gay Men
Friendship at Work
Changes Over the Life Span
Early Adulthood: Marriage and Family
Late Adulthood: Retirement and Empty Nest
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 9: Romantic Relationships
Relationship Development
Characteristics Desired in a Mate
Relationship Initiation
The Nature of Romantic Relationships
Intimacy
Love
Sexuality
Maintaining Relationships
Maintenance Strategies
Relationship Satisfaction
Conflict
Conflict Management
Demand/Withdraw Pattern
Jealousy
Cohabiting Relationships
Who Cohabits
Outcomes of Cohabitation
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 10: Sex Differences in Health: Evidence and Explanations
Sex Differences in Mortality
Life Span
Leading Causes of Death
Crime Statistics
Sex Differences in Morbidity
Explanations for Sex Differences in Health
Biology
Genes
Hormones
Immune System
Cardiovascular Reactivity
Artifacts
Socioeconomic Status
Physician Bias
Health Behaviors
Preventive Health Care
Smoking
Alcohol
Drugs
Overweight and Obesity
Exercise
Men’s and Women’s Social Roles
Job Characteristics
Driving
Risky Behavior
Concerns with Health
Nurturant Roles
Gender-Related Traits
Symptom Perception
Evidence
Explanations
Illness Behavior
Implications for Morbidity
Implications for Mortality
Conclusions
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 11: Relationships and Health
Effects of Social Support on Health
Sex Comparisons
Evidence: Relations to Health
Effects of Marriage on Health
Evidence
Explanations
Effect of Bereavement on Health
Evidence
Explanations
Effect of Relationship Dissolution on Health
Relationship Breakup
Explanations
Marital Transitions and Health
Effect of Marital Quality on Health
Evidence
Division of Labor
Who Does What?
What Determines Who Does What?
Satisfaction
Parenting and Health
Effects of the Parent Role on Health
Effect of Parenthood on Marriage
Intimate Partner Violence
Incidence
Characteristics of Perpetrator and Victims
Theories
Rape and Other Forms of Sexual Coercion
Definitions
Incidence
Rape Myths
Characteristics of Perpetrator
Characteristics of Victim
Theories
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms 
 
Chapter 12: Paid Worker Role and Health
Paid Worker Role
Women’s Employment
Effects on the Family
Retirement
Combining Paid Labor With Family Roles
Effects of the Paid Worker Role on Family Roles
Effects of Family Roles on the Paid Worker Role
Difficulties in Combining Roles
Quality of Paid Worker Role
Characteristics of Paid Work
Effects on Health
Discrimination
Pay Disparity
Denial of Discrimination
Sexual Harassment
Definitions
Incidence
Outcomes of Sexual Harassment
Characteristics of Perpetrator
Characteristics of Victim
Theories
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms

 

Chapter 13: Mental Health
Sex Differences in Depression
Methodological Artifacts
Clinician Bias
Response Bias
Different Manifestations of Depression
Theories of Depression
Biology
Learned Helplessness
Coping
Stressful Life Events
The Female Gender Role
Caregiving
Challenges of Adolescence
Gender Intensification
Puberty
Body Image
Adjustment to Chronic Illness
Male Gender Role
Female Gender Role
Eating Disorders
Definitions and Prevalence
Consequences
Etiology
Suicide
Incidence
Attempts
The Gender Paradox
Factors Associated with Suicide Among Adults
Factors Associated with Suicide Among Adolescents
Summary
Discussion Questions
Suggested Reading
Key Terms