Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences

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Psychology 320 Psychology of Gender and Sex
Differences
September 30
Lecture 10
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Office Hour InvitationsOctober 4, 1130-230,
Kenny 3102
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A little RR . (Review and Reflect)
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History of Research

1. What theories and research characterize the
   history of gender psychology? (continued)

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By the end of todays class, you should be able
to
1. describe major shifts in theory and research
on sex and gender between 1954 and present day.
2. describe contemporary measures (i.e.,
operational- izations) of gender.
3. explain the masculine superiority effect.
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4. discuss changes in levels of masculinity and
femininity across time in North America.
5. interpret gender diagnosticity scores.
6. define the term gender-role strain.
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What theories and research characterize the
history of gender psychology? (continued)
E. 1954 1982 Sex Typing and Androgyny
(continued)
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• The contemporary relevance of the traits
  included in the BSRI and PAQ has been questioned
  (e.g., Auster Ohm, 2000).

Nevertheless, substantial research (e.g., Holt
Ellis, 1998 Oswald, 2004) suggests that these
measures are valid among contemporary populations.
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• Data collected between 1970 and 2000 (e.g.,
  Leuptow et al., 2001 Spence Buckner, 2000
  Twenge, 1997) demonstrate

(a) consistent sex differences in femininity.
(b) reduced sex differences in masculinity.
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Correlation Between Womens BSRI-M Scores and
Year of Study Publication
5.4

r .74
5.2

X5.16





5.0


Womens Average BSRI-M Score










4.8













4.6


X4.57
4.4
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
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F. 1982 Present Gender as a Social Category

• Since 1982, research on sex, gender, and
  psychology has proliferated.

• Two trends are apparent in this research

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1. Gender as a multidimensional construct.

• Many contemporary theorists argue that gender
  is not adequately represented by two dimensions
  (i.e., expressiveness and instrumentality).

• Rather, gender reflects highly diverse content,
  including traits, physical characteristics, and
  interests.

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• These theorists view femininity and masculinity
  as prototypes abstract sets of features
  commonly associated with femininity and
  masculinity.

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• E.g., Helgeson (1994, 2013)

Feminine prototype Traits Caring, soft-spoken,
social, delicate, shy.Physical characteristics
Well dressed, high pitched voice, long
hair.Interests Likes art, concerned with
appearance.
Masculine prototype Traits Self-confident,
dominant.Physical characteristics Muscular,
tall, hairy face.Interests Likes sports,
fitness, cars, concerned with work.
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• Lippa et al. (1990, 1995) developed a
  multi- dimensional measure of femininity and
  masculinity referred to as gender diagnosticity
  (GD).

• GD scores indicate levels of femininity and
  masculinity on the basis of an individuals
  traits, physical characteristics, and interests.

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• GD scores are computed statistically, by
  combining an individuals scores on diverse
  indices of femininity and masculinity (e.g.,
  preferred occupation, hobbies, level of
  dominance).

• GD scores of 0 and 1 indicate high levels of
  femininity and masculinity, respectively.

• GD scores are not highly correlated with scores
  on the BSRI or the PAQ.

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2. Social influences on gender.

• Consistent with the social constructionist
  view, there is increasing emphasis on (a) the
  diversity of human experience (i.e.,
  intersectionality) and (b) the social factors
  that contribute to sex differences .

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Taking Difference into AccountExamples
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• The emphasis on social factors that contribute
  to sex differences has generated substantial
  research on gender-role strain.

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By the end of todays class, you should be able
to
1. describe major shifts in theory and research
on sex and gender between 1954 and present day.
2. describe contemporary measures (i.e.,
operational- izations) of gender.
3. explain the masculine superiority effect.
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4. discuss changes in levels of masculinity and
femininity across time in North America.
5. interpret gender diagnosticity scores.
6. define the term gender-role strain.