Psychology Essay

 

 

Assignment One:

Gender Stereotyping

Gender stereotyping reflects the perceived psychological traits and characteristics of males and females and the related roles that are thought to be appropriate for each gender in the family, work, school, and society as a whole. Gender stereotyping impacts individuals in terms of how they view themselves and their place in society, as well as how society views the respective gender and the appropriate behavior and roles for each. The implications can be far reaching.

It is evident by studying history that gender stereotypes have changed over time. One obvious example is in the history of women’s suffrage. At one time, it was believed in the United States that women were not sufficiently mentally astute to vote on the important issues impacting society. A woman’s place was thought to be in the home raising children and taking care of the domestic needs of the family. With women’s suffrage in the early 20th century and the century that has followed, this stereotype has been changed. Not only do women vote, but they hold every office at all levels including heads of state and presidencies around the globe.

In this Assignment, you will explore gender stereotypes in some depth, including a consideration of the numerous stereotypes for both men and women and how these stereotypes impact individuals of that gender, the opposite gender, and society as a whole.

To prepare

• Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on gender stereotyping, the impact it may have on society and individuals, and cultural differences and similarities in gender stereotyping.
• Think about the following questions:
  • What are common stereotypes for men?
  • What are common stereotypes for women?
  • How have these stereotypes changed over time? What stereotypes have not really changed?
  • What impact do these stereotypes have on individuals of that gender, the opposite gender, and society as a whole? Think in terms of the life of the individuals, the families, school life and the educational journey, work life and career options, health and wellness issues, sexual attitudes and behaviors, and so forth.
  • Consider whether and how any of the stereotypes have impacted you personally.
  • What impact has the media had on perpetuating gender stereotypes?

Write a 3-page paper in which you describe a gender stereotype that exists in your culture and analyze it as follows:

• Explain the effects that the stereotype has on both males and females in your culture. Think in terms of the impact on family, school, work, health, sexual behaviors and attitudes, and so forth.
• Explain what perpetuates the stereotype.
• Explain how, if at all, this stereotype has impacted you personally.

Use proper APA format, citations, and references.

Assignment Two:

Applying Theory to Gender Development

There are several perspectives on how humans develop gender. Older perspectives that emphasized biological differences between males and females have given way to newer perspectives that account for the roles of both biology (e.g., hormones) and environment. When psychologists refer to the environment, they mean the social factors or socialization agents such as peers, family, school, and media, through which a person comes to understand and develop a gender identity. Although many perspectives are in agreement that socialization agents influence gender development, they differ in their conceptualizations of how, why, and to what degree this occurs.

These perspectives have been studied and formulated into theories. Freud led the way with psychoanalytic theories of gender development, suggesting early unconscious drives were the foundation of gender development. Social learning theories are founded in reinforcement and observational models suggesting that gender development is learned. Cognitive development theories suggest that gender differences develop by observation of gender consistencies, gender schemata, or gender scripts within a culture. Whatever the theory, gender roles differ in different cultures.

In this Assignment, you will analyze the gender development of an individual through the lenses of two gender development theories. You will also evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two theories in explaining the individual’s development.

To prepare

• Consider the key socialization agents (culture, family, school, peers, media, or other societal influences) that influence gender development.
• Consider the theories presented in the Learning Resources (biosocial theories, psychoanalytic theories, social learning theory, and gender-schema theory) and select two to use for this Assignment.
• Interview an individual you know or complete a self-analysis regarding the key socialization agents (influences) in this person’s or your life regarding gender development. Use the questions in the document “Gender Analysis Questions” in this week’s Learning Resources to guide your interview or self-analysis.

Write a 3-page paper in which you do the following:

• Briefly introduce the individual you interviewed (or yourself), including the person’s gender identity.
• Summarize the key gender development socialization agents for this individual.
• Identify the two theories you selected, and briefly summarize how each would explain the individual’s gender development.
• Explain the relative strengths and weaknesses of each theory in explaining the gender development of the individual.