Gender Issues in Psychology (PSY512)
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Gender Issues in Psychology (PSY512) Table of Contents Lesson 01 Introduction 1 Lesson 02 Feminist Movement 4 Lesson 03 Historical Background 7 Lesson 04 Gender Related Research 10 Lesson 05 Research Methods for Gender Issues 17 Lesson 06 Qualitative Research 21 Lesson 07 Biological Differences between Genders 25 Lesson 08 Biological Differences between Genders: Hormones and Nervous System 29 Lesson 09 Theories of Gender Development 31 Lesson 10 Theories of Gender Development 32 Lesson 11 Theories of Gender Development 36 Lesson 12 Theories of Gender Development 40 Lesson 13 Other Approaches 43 Lesson 14 Gender Typing and Stereotyping 44 Lesson 15 Gender Stereotypes 48 Lesson 16 Developmental Stages of Gender Stereotypes 52 Lesson 17 Cultural Influence and Gender Roles 56 Lesson 18 Development of Gender Role Identification 58 Lesson 19 Gender Differences in Personality 61 Lesson 20 Gender Differences in Personality 63 Lesson 21 Cognitive Differences 65 Lesson 22 Gender and Media 67 Lesson 23 Gender and Emotion 71 Lesson 24 Gender, Emotion and Motivation 73 Lesson 25 Gender and Education 75 Lesson 26 Gender, Work and Women's Empowerment 77 Lesson 27 Gender, Work and Women's Empowerment 80 Lesson 28 Gender, Work and Related Issues 82 Lesson 29 Gender and Violence 85 Lesson 30 Gender and Health 88 Lesson 31 Gender, Health, and Aging 90 Lesson 32 Gender, Health, and Aging 91 Lesson 33 Gender, Health, and Aging 94 Lesson 34 Gender and Health Promoting Behaviors 97 Lesson 35 Gender and Health Promoting Behaviors 100 Lesson 36 Gender and Heart Disease 104 Lesson 37 Gender and Cancer 109 Lesson 38 Gender and HIV/AIDS 112 Lesson 39 Problems Associated With Females’ Reproductive Health 116 Lesson 40 Obesity and Weight Control 120 Lesson 41 Gender and Psychopathology 123 Lesson 42 Gender and Psychopathology 127 Lesson 43 Gender and Psychotherapy 131 Lesson 44 Feminist Therapy 134 Lesson 45 Course Review: New Avenues for Research in Gender Issues 137 Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY512) VU LESSON 01 INTRODUCTION Common misconception: Gender psychology or psychology of gender issues pertains to only psychology of women. That is not the case. There is a difference between psychology of women and psychology of gender. Focus of a course in gender issues: What factors are responsible for the distinct masculine and feminine roles? The factors may be biological. Social, cultural, or psychological! Today we have loads of research evidence available that explains both masculinity, or male roles, and femininity, or female roles. There are two Divisions of APA that directly deal with these issues: Division 35: Society for the Psychology of Women, established 1973. Division 51: Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity, established 1995. About this course: This course will have a multi disciplinary approach. Main focus: We will borrow and benefit from the knowledge and research evidence available in •Female physiology, and reproductive health psychology as well as other disciplines. The primary focus of the course will be gender issues. However psychology of women will be •Female cognitive skills touched upon more than issues specific to the psychology of men alone. Goals of a course in Gender Issues in Psychology: •Early socialization into sex roles To develop an understanding of the difference between gender and sex. •Stereotyping women in media To introduce a new approach to understanding human behavior and mental processes. To give a flavor of the scope and content of study in other popular disciplines of the day, like Gender Studies or Women •Cultural determinants of sex differences Studies. To familiarize the students with the impact of socio-cultural and psychological factors on the gender roles and the status of gender in a given society. •Work issues; To bring about a healthier and positive change in the students’ thinking power relationships between men and women through knowledge of divergent ways of thinking. To develop an understanding of gender relations in the society. To create an awareness of abilities, capacities, psychological make up, and • Psychosocial factors in women empowerment problems of women and research methods employed to study these. To familiarize students with the social and political background of gender differences and the gender issues. •Physical and mental health issues Gender: The perception of being a male or a female. “Gender” versus “Sex”: •Discrimination and violence prevention Gender refers to the psychological aspect whereas sex refers to the physiological/ physical aspect of the same phenomenon. •Gender equality and equity ©Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan 1 Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY512) VU “Gender” refers to culturally constructed categorization of “maleness” and “femaleness” or masculinity and femininity. Biologically based distinctions between males and females are referred to as “Sex” of the person. Who makes us behave as males or females? Human-beings are born as male or female babies, BUT they become masculine or feminine as a result of child rearing practices and socio-cultural variables. Gender roles: Expectations of appropriate behavior for males and females set by a society. Gender role expectations are very similar across societies. Gender differences: Actual differences between males and females in terms of average capacity, ability, or typical behavior. Gender stereotypes: “Widely held beliefs about females ’and male’s abilities, personality traits, and social behavior” (Weiten, 2001). Some questions to ponder: • Why are women more conscious about body weight than men? • Why don’t men wear make up as women do? • Can men become good “mothers”? • Why are women not hired as guards? • Why no men sew clothes at home but most professional tailors are men? • Why most chefs are men but very few men cook at home? • Why are women considered talkative whereas on average men talk more? • The answers to these questions pertain to societal role allocation and shaping. Feminist Movement: Christine de Pizan: Generally considered the first feminist writer. Wrote in the medieval period In the 1700’s women propagated the significance of women’s education Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, Marquis de Condorcet 1785: The first scientific Society for Women established in Middle berg, Dutch, and Republic. 1791: “ Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen” The “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen” (1789) was paraphrased. It was the French revolution’s central document. 1792: Mary Wollstonecraft: “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman”. The modern feminist movement emerged from the west. A member of men as well as women contributed to the cause of improving women’s status in the society, in the political, economic, and social spheres. All societies were patriarchal, male dominated, where women were generally oppressed and home bound. Women were denied the right to franchise, to go for education, and profession. Woman was treated as a second rate citizen with limited or no ability, little or lower grade intelligence and non trustable skill. ©Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan 2 Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY512) VU 19th century Reform Movement was a landmark in the history of women liberation. 1848: New York: The first Women’s Rights Convention J .S. Mill wrote “The Subjection of Women” in the mid 1800s. He was influenced by his wife Harriet Taylor. Emmeline Pankhurst formed WSPU/Women’s Social & Political Union. Emma Goldman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Dame Ethel Mary Smyth, and Margaret Sanger were among the 19th century feminists. In the East Qasim Amin an Egyptian jurist is known as the Father of Egyptian feminist movement. In 1899 he wrote “ Women’s Liberation” and proved to be a very influential writer (Tahrir ul Mar’a) Woman suffrage movement & its ultimate success brought about major changes in terms of women’s status as well as their self- perceptions and vision. The First World War was also a turning point. Many women who never worked outside home started working. But the end of war meant joblessness for many women. In piece time, the jobs were to be left for the soldiers returning home. Still many women carried on with nursing, farming, blue collared jobs & other traditional occupations. At the same time during the world war many women entered occupations that used to be restricted to men alone e.g. mechanical work. In many communist & socialist countries women were bought at par with men in many regards. Feminist movement saw tough times and discouragement in countries like Germany or Italy, in the early 20th country. WAVES OF THE FEMINIST MOVEMENT First wave feminists: The early feminists, who initiated the movement. Second wave feminists: By this time, women in most countries had been granted the right to franchise and to contest election for public office. These feminists were active after 1960.They were working for equality, both economic and social. They fought for the right to contraception, birth control and sexual liberation. Sexual liberation became a much debated issue and was criticized by many feminists. Third wave feminists: Third wave movement emerged in the 1990’s.The earlier feminists failed to see and deal with variations within women. Third wave feminists try to see how different groups of women may be having different needs, and circumstances, and requiring different solutions. Womanism, Queer theory, and Post Modern Feminism are a part of this wave. ©Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan 3 Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY512) VU Lesson 02 FEMINIST MOVEMENT A movement or way of thinking that proposes, advocates, supports, and struggles for social equality of the two sexes. The difference between men and women should be looked into from a “gender” perspective rather than a “sexist” perspective. The difference between the sexes is learned and attained, not ascribed or inherent. Society is the seed bed of our gender roles, gender Identity, and gender stratification leading to social status and ranking of the genders.