Module 49 REVIEW

• 49-1 How does the meaning of gender differ from the meaning of sex?

• Gender refers to the socially and culturally constructed expectations about what it means to be a boy, girl, man, or woman.
• Sex refers to our biological status as male or female, defined by our chromosomes and anatomy.
• We might say that our body defines our sex, while our mind defines our gender.

• 49-2 What are some ways in which males and females tend to be alike and to differ?

• We are more alike than different, thanks to our similar genetic makeup—we see, learn, and remember similarly, with comparable creativity, intelligence, and emotions. Males and females do differ in height, age of onset of puberty, life expectancy, and vulnerability to certain disorders.
• Men admit to more aggression than women do, and they are more likely to be physically aggressive. Women’s aggression is more likely to be relational.
• Women focus more on social connectedness; they are more interdependent, and they “tend and befriend.”

• 49-3 What factors contribute to gender bias in the workplace?

• Differences in male-female perception, compensation, and family responsibility both influence and reflect workplace gender bias.
• In most societies, men have more social power, and their leadership style tends to be directive, whereas women’s tends to be more democratic.
• In their everyday behaviors and interactions, men tend to act more assertive and opinionated; women tend to act more supportive and apologetic.

• 49-4 How do gender roles and gender identity differ?

• Gender roles, the behaviors a culture expects from its men and women, vary across place and time.
• Social learning theory proposes that we learn gender identity—our personal sense of being male, female, or some combination of the two—as we learn other things: through reinforcement, punishment, and observation.
• Critics argue that cognition also plays a role, as gender typing varies between children. We seem to conform in ways that feel comfortable to us, whether that means taking on a male role, female role, or blend of the two (androgyny).
• Transgender people’s gender identity differs from the behaviors or traits considered typical for their biological sex. Their sexual orientation may be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual.

Multiple-Choice Questions

1. According to research, which of the following is more common among males than females?
   1. Physical aggression
   2. Smiling
   3. Relational aggression
   4. Averting one’s eyes
   5. Apologizing
2. Gender _____ are the social expectations that guide men and women’s behavior. Gender _____ is a person’s sense of being male or female.
   1. concepts; role
   2. preferences; role
   3. roles; preference
   4. roles; identity
   5. roles; preference
3. Which of the following is generally true of males when compared to females?
   1. They have a longer life span.
   2. They are more likely to have a democratic leadership style.
   3. They are more likely to commit suicide.
   4. They are more likely to be diagnosed with depression.
   5. They are more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety.
4. Diego likes to play sports and video games, whereas Sara likes to sing, dance, and play “house.” This example best depicts which of the following?
   1. Gender identity
   2. Gender typing
   3. Gender schema
   4. Social learning theory
   5. Gender expression
5. Carol Gilligan’s research emphasizes prominent female characteristics, especially
   1. spatial abilities.
   2. making social connections.
   3. playing in large groups.
   4. talking a great deal.
   5. playing in competitive groups.

Practice FRQs

1. Explain the difference between gender roles and gender schemas. How does social learning contribute to the formation of each?

Answer

1 point: Gender roles are the cultural norms for expected behaviors for males and females. Page 525

1 point: Gender schemas are the cognitive ways in which we organize boy-girl characteristics. Page 526

1 point: Social learning contributes to gender schema formation through the observation of gender roles and the rewarding of gender-appropriate behaviors. Pages 525–526

2. Give an example of a biological, a psychological, and a social factor that might contribute to gender differences.

(3 points)