Psychology of Sex and Gender

by Burns, Susan

• ISBN13: 9781464182235
• ISBN10: 146418223X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2018-12-07
• Publisher: Worth Publishers

Summary

Psychology of Sex and Gender is an engaging and empirical text that not only introduces students to foundational (i.e., historical/contextual) understandings in the topic of sex and gender, but also moves them into cutting-edge topics and research that encourages them to (re)think their perceptions of gender in the world around them. It goes beyond the standard coverage, presenting topics with recognition of the biopsychosocial nature of sex and gender and encouraging students to examine the basis of similarities and differences among genders. Many textbooks in this domain focus more on women’s studies or psychology of women without much coverage of other genders issues. Burns provides a comprehensive and balanced sex/gender perspective integrating contemporary research.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction to Sex and Gender

Defining sex and gender

Controversial Issues: Is it legal to perform surgery an ‘unnecessary’ surgery on an intersex child? M. C. v. Aaronson.

Psychological and Historical Contexts

Schools of Psychology

Controversial Issues: Should parents decide what Halloween costumes children wear?

Feminism

Men’s Movements

Contemporary Understandings

EXPLORING THE TOPICs

Summary

Key Terms

Links and Logic

CHAPTER TWO: STUDYING SEX, GENDER, AND STEREOTYPES

SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATION OF SEX AND GENDER

Qualitative Research Methodology

Case Studies

Ethnographic Studies

Interviews and Focus Groups

Quantitative Research Methodology

Experimental Design

Controversial Issues: "Let me tell you my trouble with girls."

Myth Buster: "Men Desire Sexy Partners, Women Desire Wealth."

Ex Post Facto Study

Correlational Research

Surveys

Controversial Issues: Are you convinced by numbers or stories?

potential bias in research

Decreasing Bias in Research

Statistical Significance vs. Practical Significance

Summary

Key Terms

Links and Logic

Chapter 3: Analyzing Gender Stereotypes

GENDER BELIEF SYSTEMS AND STEREOTYPES

History of Male and Female Stereotypes

Theoretical Approaches to Sex and Gender Stereotypes

Myth Buster: Women Avoid Competition

Controversial Issues/Questions: Is Gender Contextual?

The Stable, Yet Evolving Nature of Stereotypes Associated with Gender

Sex and Gender Stereotypes in the Media

MEASUREMENTS OF GENDER

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SEX STEREOTYPING

Prejudice, Discrimination, Sexism, and Harassment

Gender Role Strain and Conflict

Summary

Key Terms

Links and Logic

Chapter 4: Biological Foundations of Sex and Gender

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND HORMONE PRODUCTION

chromosomal influences on PRENATAL SEX DEVELOPMENT

Chromosomal Abnormalities

Controversial Issue: Too Male to Compete as a Woman?

Hormonal Abnormalities

Controversial Issue: The Infamous Case of John/Joan

Chromosomal Abnormalities and Sex Differentiation

Controversial Issue: Too Male to Compete as a Woman?

SEX DEVELOPMENT IN PUBERTY

HORMONE EFFECTS ON SEX DIFFERENCES THROUGHOUT THE LIFESPAN

Testosterone Effects

Estrogen and Progesterone Effects

Myth Buster: The Majority of Women Experience PMS

Oxytocin Effects

SEX DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES IN THE BRAIN

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 5: Gender development

Psychoanalytic theories and gender development

Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Controversial Issue: Freud’s Oedipus Complex – Sexual Fantasy or Child Molestation?

Feminist Neo-Freudian Theorists

SOCIAL LEARNING THEORIES

Family and Gender Socialization

Society and Gender Socialization

Controversial Issue: Is Gendered Marketing Passé?

Myth Buster: It’s all the media’s fault!

Cognitive Theories

Cognitive Developmental Theory

Gender Schema Theory

Controversial Issue: Feminist Parenting

Ethological Theories

THE TRUTH OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 6: IDENTITY AND EMOTION

IDENTITY

Early Gender Identity Development

Adolescent Gender Schemas

Gender Intensification

The Impact of Peers

Gender Nonconformity

Controversial Issue: Attention on Boys

EMOTION

Emotional Expression

Identification of Emotions

Myth Buster: Males are Void of Emotion

Anger

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 7: Aggression and Violence

SEX DIFFERENCES IN AGGRESSION

Aggression and Violence in Childhood and Adolescence

Aggression and Cultural Influences

Bullying

Cyberbullying

Controversial Issue: Just kill yourself

Violence in Adolescence

ADULT EXPRESSIONS OF VIOLENCE

Sexual Harassment

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate Partner Violence in Same-Sex Relationships

Myth Buster: Women Are Inherently Nonviolent—Perspective from Conflict in Sierra Leone

Rape

GENDERED EXPLANATIONS OF VIOLENCE

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 8: LANGUAGE AND COGNITION

SEX DIFFERENCES IN LANGUAGE

Sex Differences in Children’s Language Use

Sex Differences in Adolescents’ and Adults’ Language Use

Myth Buster: Women use way more words than men do!

GENDER INFLUENCES ON LANGUAGE

Controversial Issue: Moving Toward a Gender-Neutral or Third-Gender English Language

Cognition

Sex Differences in Cognitive Development in Childhood and Adolescence

Sex differences in Cognitive Development during Adulthood

GENERAL SEX DIFFERENCES IN COGNITION

Spatial Abilities

Mathematical Abilities

EFFECTS OF PERCEIVED SEX DIFFERENCES ON LANGUAGE AND COGNITION

Controversial Issue: Gender Stereotype Threat – It’s a female issue, right?!

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 9: School

Sex and Gender Roles in preschool Settings

Self-Competence

Sex and Gender Roles Taught Through Play

SEX AND GENDER ROLES IN SCHOOL

Cultural Stereotypes Versus Math Ability in Girls

Stereotype Threat and Achievement in Boys

Culture and School Achievement

Controversial Issue: Attention on Boys

"Cool" Masculinity and School Achievement

SCHOOL CHARACTERISTICS AFFECTING STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Teacher Effects

Single-Sex Schooling

Myth Buster: It’s a Brain Thing with Boys and Girls

STUDENT FACTORS AFFECTING SUCCESS IN SCHOOL

Achievement Motivation

Fear of Success

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 10: relationships

Family

Maternal Relationships

Sibling and Peer Relationships

Friendship

Self-Disclosure and Friendship Development

Cross-Sex Friendships

Myth Buster: Opposite-Sex Friendships Are All-About Sex

ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Dating

Social Media and Gender Roles

Committed Relationships and Marriage

Marital Relationships and Gender Role Attitudes

Controversial Issue: Mr., Mrs., Ms. and Mx.

Division of Household Labor

Relationship Conflict and Dissolutions

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 11: SEXUALITY

The Study Of Sex

Kinsey Surveys of Sexual Behavior

Center for Sexual Health Promotion Surveys

Observational Studies of Sexual Behavior

SEX EDUCATION

Controversial Issue: Sex Education

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Asexuality

Heterosexuality

Same-gender sexuality

Myth Buster: It’s just a phase, right?

Sexual Fluidity

GENDER ROLES AND RULES FOR SEXUALITY

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 12: THE WORLD OF WORK

OCCUPATION GOALS

SEX AND GENDER EQUALITY AT WORK

Hiring Discrimination

Pay Discrimination

Negotiations

Myth Buster: Women Are Not Good Negotiators

OBSTACLES AT WORK

Invisible Barriers for Women, Men, and Minorities

Visible Barriers

Sexual and Gender Harassment

BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY

Controversial Issues: Pregnancy Discrimination

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 13: PHYSICAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Body satisfaction

Myth Buster: Only Women Talk About Their Bodies

MAJOR DISEASES

Diabetes

Cancer

Heart Disease

RISKY HEALTH BEHAVIORS

Alcohol Consumption and Tobacco Usage

Controversial Issues: E-cigarettes the "safe" option with sex differences

Drugs

Sexual Activity

HEALTH PROMOTION

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC

Chapter 14: MENTAL HEALTH AND TREATMENT

STRESS

Sources of Stress

Coping with Stress

DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS

Gender Bias in the Process of Diagnosis

SEX AND GENDER EFFECTS ON SPECIFIC DIAGNOSES

Anxiety and Depression

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Gender Dysphoria

Myth Buster: "Treating" Sexual Orientation as a Gender Identity Issue

GENDER ISSUES IN SEEKING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT

Male Gender Role Impact on Help-Seeking

Controversial Issues: Being the Manly Man Who Likes to Talk about Feelings

Feminist Effects on Therapy

SUMMARY

KEY TERMS

LINKS AND LOGIC