Actual Gender Differences

1

• Actual Gender Differences
• There are a number of documented gender
  differences
• Exs aggression, activity level, compliance,
  emotional expressivity

2

• But
• Relatively few documented differences
• Gender stereotypes suggest more differences than
  are actually documented by research
• Even documented differences are relatively small
  in size
• Average performance of males and females is not
  extremely different

3

• Gender Typing
• Process by which a child
• Becomes aware of his or her gender
• Acquires information about the characteristics
  and behavior viewed as appropriate for males or
  females (gender stereotypes)
• Acquires the characteristics and behaviors viewed
  as appropriate for either males or females
  (gender roles)

4

• Developmental Trends in Gender Typing
• By 2.5 to 3 years, children label their own sex
  and that of other people
• Do not yet understand that sex is a permanent
  characteristic

5

• Development of Gender Stereotypes
• By 2.5 years, children have some knowledge of
  gender stereotypes
• Over the preschool/early school years, learn more
  about toys, activities, and achievement domains
  considered appropriate for boys versus girls
• Ex (achievement) boys are good at math girls
  are good at English

6

• Preschoolers gender stereotypes tend to be rigid
• Dont usually realize that characteristics
  associated with sex (e.g., activities, clothing)
  dont determine whether one is male or female
• May be one reason they treat gender stereotypes
  as rules rather than as beliefs

7

• By elementary school, childrens gender
  stereotypes are more flexible
• Understand that stereotypes are beliefs, not
  rules
• But older children do not necessarily approve of
  cross-gender behavior

8

• Development of Gender Role Behavior
• Gender-stereotyped toy preferences are present by
  14 months and continue to develop through the
  preschool years

9

• Gender segregation develops by ages 2 to 3 years
• Tendency to associate with same-sex playmates
• Typically lasts until around the onset of puberty