Middle Childhood

Gender Identity
Sense of being masculine or feminine Well established by preschool years By age 2 years:
Consistently label themselves and others as boy or girl

Theoretical Perspectives on Gender

Biological
Inborn, genetic factors produce gender differences

Cognitive
Gender schemes form lens through which world is viewed

Social learning
Gender related behavior learned from observations of others behaviors

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
Gender vs. Biological Sex
Biological sex: Whether we are classified as male or female at birth Gender: Inferences we make about the qualities/characteristics of masculinity and femininity

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
Gender vs. Biological Sex
Biological sex: Whether we are classified as boy or girl at birth Gender: Inferences we make about the qualities of males and females

Gender-role Development
The process through which children acquire the characteristics and behaviors prescribed for males and females in their cultures

Middle Childhood

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
Gender Stereotypes

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
Gender Stereotypes
Instrumental Expressive

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
Gender Stereotypes
Instrumental Expressive

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
What sex difference actually exist?
Physical Attributes
Different chromosomes, reproductive systems & levels of hormones Females more mature at birth Males more likely to be miscarried, die in infancy & carry hereditary disease Females walk, talk & reach other motor milestones sooner Females reach puberty sooner Males reach greater height, weight & muscle mass

Childrens knowledge of gender stereotypes

Girls play with girls, boys with boys Girls prefer girl toys, boys prefer boy toys Pretend play involves stereotyped roles Younger children are more rigid in their stereotypes VIDEO (Early Childhood Gender)

Middle Childhood

Gender and Play

Differences noted in play of male and female preschoolers Males:
More rough and tumble play Same sex playmate preference around 3

Social Learning Perspective on Gender

Gender related behaviors and expectations learned from observing others Books, media, television perpetuate gender related behavior and expectations

Females:
Organized games and role playing Same sex playmate preference around 2

Cognitive Perspective on Gender

Gender schema or cognitive framework organizes relevant gender information Preschoolers begin developing rules about what is right and what is inappropriate for males and females

Bem There, Done That

Sandra Bem and androgynous children
Encouraged to follow gender roles that encompass characteristics thought typical of both sexes Male-appropriate and female-appropriate traits

Middle Childhood

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
What sex difference actually exist?
Physical Attributes Cognition & Mental Abilities
Language abilities Spatial abilities

Test of Spatial Skills

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
What sex difference actually exist?
Physical Attributes Cognition & Mental Abilities
Language abilities Spatial abilities Math abilities

Sex Differences

Middle Childhood

Sex Differences in Mental Abilities

Skill Performance Biological Influences Girls: advantage in left hemisphere of brain Environmental Influences Parents talk more to girls Language arts considered feminine.

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
What sex difference actually exist?
Physical Attributes Cognition Social Behaviors & Personality Differences

Verbal

Girls do better from early ages, throughout school Boys better at abstract reasoning, mathematical problem solving Gap larger at higher levels, although shrinking

Math

Boys: better Mathematics numerical memory, considered spatial reasoning masculine. Right hemisphere Parents view boys might be more as better at math active

Social Behaviors & Personality Differences

Boys are more
Physically aggressive

Biological influences?
Androgen hormones

Environmental influences?
Family Consequences of aggression Peers

Middle Childhood

Social Behaviors & Personality Differences

Girls are more
Relationally aggressive Emotionally sensitive
But behavior differences small

Compliant (social influence) Dependent Likely to Suffer Depression

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
What sex difference actually exist?
Physical Attributes Cognition Social Behaviors

Gender Identity
Gender Identity
What sex difference actually exist?
Physical Attributes Cognition Social Behaviors

So, why do stereotypical beliefs still exist?

Socialization of stereotypes
Parents Peers Schools and Teachers The media (EXAMPLE)

So, why do stereotypical beliefs still exist?

Socialization of stereotypes Biology
Evolutionary adaptiveness Cross-cultural similarities (but note differences!) Hormones