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The Psychology of Gender Vicki S. Helgeson

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PsychologyofGender

Notedforitsfairandequalcoverageofmenandwomen,thisbookreviewstheresearch andissuessurroundinggenderfrommultipleperspectivesincludingpsychology, sociology,anthropology,andpublichealth,withanemphasisontheinteractionbetween biologicalandsocialtheories.Theimplicationsofsocialroles,status,andgender-related traitsonrelationshipsandhealththatarecentraltostudents’dailylivesareemphasized throughoutStudentslearnhowtodistinguishthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetween thesexesandthetheoriesthatexplainthedifferences.Methodologicalflawsthatmay impacttheobservanceofsexdifferencesarealsoexamined

Learningactivitiesandpedagogicaltoolsincludedinthetext:

DoGenderexercisesthatprovideanopportunitytotesthypothesesandexplore data

Sidebarsonspecialinteresttopicsandnumerousvisualsthatbringthestudiesto life

TakeHomePointsthatsummarizekeyconceptsinbulletedformat

Boldfacedkeytermsanddefinitions,chaptersummaries,discussionquestions, andsuggestedreadings,whichhelpstudentsreviewthematerial

Newtothefifthedition:

Expandedsectionsoncohabitation,homosexuality,onlinerelationships,social mediainfluences,single-sexclassrooms,sexdifferencesinmathabilities,and genderimplicationsofdivorceonhealth

Expandedcoverageofgenderandparenting,genderandtheworkplace,gender andpower,andbalancingworkandfamily

Anexpandedintersectionalapproachthathighlightshowgenderisconnectedto socialclass,race,andethnicity,includingmorecoverageofgendersystem justificationtheory

CoverageoftransgenderissuesincludingrecentchangesintheDSMguidelines

Streamlineddiscussionstofurtherengagestudentstothinkaboutgenderissues

Acompanionwebsiteatwww.routledge.com/cw/Helgesonwhereinstructors willfindPowerPointslides,multiple-choicequizzes,andshort-answerquestions withsuggestedanswersforeachchapter;andstudentswillfindflashcardsof keyterms,chapteroutlines,andlinkstorelatedwebsitesandfurtherreading

Thisisanidealtextforupper-levelgender-focusedcoursesincludingthepsychology

ofgender;psychologyofwomenormen;genderissues;andgender,women’s,ormen’s studiestaughtinpsychology;women’sstudies;genderstudies;sociology;and anthropology

VickiS.HelgesonisProfessorofPsychologyandDirectoroftheGender,Relationships, andHealthLabatCarnegieMellonUniversity.

PsychologyofGender FifthEdition

VickiS.Helgeson

ToallofthestudentsandresearchstaffatCarnegieMellonUniversitywhohave challengedmetothinkbeyondtheboundariesofconventionalresearchongenderand inspiredmeoverthepast25yearstobeabetterteacher,researcher,andperson

Fiftheditionpublished2017 byRoutledge

711ThirdAvenue,NewYork,NY10017

andbyRoutledge

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RoutledgeisanimprintoftheTaylor&FrancisGroup,aninformabusiness

©2017Taylor&Francis

TherightofVickiS.Helgesontobeidentifiedastheauthorofthisworkhasbeen assertedbyherinaccordancewithsections77and78oftheCopyright,Designsand PatentsAct1988

AllrightsreservedNopartofthisbookmaybereprintedorreproducedorutilisedin anyformorbyanyelectronic,mechanical,orothermeans,nowknownorhereafter invented,includingphotocopyingandrecording,orinanyinformationstorageor retrievalsystem,withoutpermissioninwritingfromthepublishers.

Trademarknotice:Productorcorporatenamesmaybetrademarksorregistered trademarks,andareusedonlyforidentificationandexplanationwithoutintentto infringe

FirsteditionpublishedbyPearsonEducation,Inc2001

FourtheditionpublishedbyPearsonEducation,Inc.2011

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Acatalogrecordforthisbookhasbeenrequested

ISBN:978-1-138-10034-3(hbk)

ISBN:978-1-138-18687-3(pbk)

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BriefContents

1Introduction

2MethodsandHistoryofGenderResearch

3Gender-RoleAttitudes

4Sex-RelatedComparisons:Observations

5Sex-RelatedComparisons:Theory

6Achievement

7Communication

8Friendship

9RomanticRelationships

10SexDifferencesinHealth:EvidenceandExplanations

11RelationshipsandHealth

12PaidWorkerRoleandHealth

13MentalHealth

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

AbouttheAuthor

1Introduction

DefinitionofTerms

CulturalDifferencesintheConstrualofGender

CulturesWithMultipleGenders

Morocco

TheAgtaNegrito

Tahiti

StatusandCulture

PhilosophicalandPoliticalIssuesSurroundingGender

TheSexDifferenceDebate

SocialConstructionofGender

Women’sMovements

Men’sMovements

ANoteonSexistLanguage

ThisBook’sApproachtotheStudyofGender

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

2MethodsandHistoryofGenderResearch

TheScientificMethod

CorrelationalStudy

ExperimentalStudy

FieldExperiment

Cross-SectionalVersusLongitudinalDesigns

Meta-Analysis

DifficultiesinConductingResearchonGender

ExperimenterEffects

ParticipantEffects

TheSetting:LaboratoryVersusField

VariablesConfoundedWithSex

SituationalInfluences

HistoryofthePsychologyofGender

1894–1936:SexDifferencesinIntelligence

1936–1954:Masculinity–FemininityasaGlobalPersonalityTrait

1954–1982:SexTypingandAndrogyny

1982–Present:GenderasaSocialCategory

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

3Gender-RoleAttitudes

AttitudesTowardMen’sandWomen’sRoles

AffectiveComponent:Sexism

TraditionalVersusModernSexism

HostileVersusBenevolentSexism

SexismTowardMen

AttitudesTowardLesbian,Gay,Bisexual,andTransgenderPersons

CognitiveComponent:Gender-RoleStereotyping

WhatIsaGender-RoleStereotype?

ComponentsofGender-RoleStereotypes

Children’sStereotypes

SubcategoriesofGender-RoleStereotypes

EffectsofGender-RoleStereotypes

AlteringGender-RoleStereotypes

DoStereotypesReflectReality?

WhatIstheStatusofStereotypesToday?

BehavioralComponent:SexDiscrimination

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

4Sex-RelatedComparisons:Observations

MaccobyandJacklin’sPsychologyofSexDifferences

Meta-Analysis

SexComparisonsinCognitiveAbilities

SpatialAbility

MathematicalAbility

VerbalAbility

SexComparisonsinSocialDomains

Empathy

HelpingBehavior

Aggression

Sexuality

GeneralPersonalityAttributes

SexComparisonsinMoralDevelopment

SexComparisonsinSocialDevelopment

SexSimilaritiesHypothesisRevisited

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

5Sex-RelatedComparisons:Theory

Biology

Genes Hormones

TheBrain

PsychobiosocialModels

EvolutionaryTheoryandSociobiology

SexualBehavior

Aggression

AFinalNote

PsychoanalyticTheory

SocialLearningTheory

ObservationalLearningorModeling

Reinforcement

Gender-RoleSocialization

TheInfluenceofParents

TheInfluenceofOtherPeople

OtherFeaturesoftheEnvironment

SocialRoleTheory

CognitiveDevelopmentTheory

GenderSchemaTheory

ConsideringtheContext:DeauxandMajor’sModel

Perceiver

Target Situation

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

6Achievement

IndividualDifferenceFactors

TheAchievementMotive

FearofAchievement

Self-Confidence

ResponsetoEvaluativeFeedback

Self-Esteem

StereotypeThreat

ConceptionsoftheSelf AttributionsforPerformance

SocialFactors

Expectancy/ValueModelofAchievement

TheInfluenceofParents

TheInfluenceofTeachers

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

7Communication

InteractionStylesinChildhood Children’sStylesofPlay

Girls’DifficultyinInfluencingBoys InstitutionalSupport

InteractionStylesinAdulthood

QualifiersofSexDifferences

Language

QualifiersofSexDifferences

NonverbalBehavior

Smiling

Gazing

InterpersonalSensitivity/Decoding

Encoding Touching

LeadershipandInfluenceability

WhoIsInfluenced?

WhoIsInfluential?WhoEmergesastheLeader?

LeadershipStyles

PerceptionofFemaleandMaleLeaders

EffectsofFemaleLeadersonGroupPerformance

Real-WorldLeaders

Emotion

TheExperienceofEmotion

TheExpressionofEmotion

PhysiologicalMeasuresofEmotion

AttributionsforEmotion

ExplanationsforSexDifferencesinCommunication

StatusTheory

SocialRoleTheory

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

8Friendship

NetworkSize

TheNatureofFriendship

SexSimilarities

SexDifferences

ClosenessofFriendship

Self-Disclosure

BarrierstoClosenessinMaleFriendship

Competition

Homophobia

EmotionalInexpressiveness

ConflictinFriendship

RelationalAggression

Cyberbullying

ResolvingConflict

Cross-SexFriendship

ComparisonstoSame-SexFriendship

EffectsofCross-SexFriendship

Obstacles

Cross-RaceFriendship

ComparisonstoOtherFriendships

OpportunityStructure

Prejudice

GLBTFriendships

FriendshipatWork

ChangesOvertheLifeSpan

EarlyAdulthood:MarriageandFamily

LateAdulthood:RetirementandEmptyNest

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

9RomanticRelationships

RelationshipDevelopment

CharacteristicsDesiredinaMate

RelationshipInitiation

TheNatureofRomanticRelationships

Intimacy

Love

Sexuality

MaintainingRelationships

MaintenanceStrategies

OnlineMaintenanceStrategies

RelationshipSatisfaction

Conflict

NatureofConflict

ConflictManagement

Demand/WithdrawPattern

Jealousy

CohabitingRelationships

ReasonsforCohabitation

WhoCohabits

OutcomesofCohabitation

Explanations

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

10SexDifferencesinHealth:EvidenceandExplanations

SexDifferencesinMortality

LifeSpan

LeadingCausesofDeath

CrimeStatistics

SexDifferencesinMorbidity

ExplanationsforSexDifferencesinHealth

Biology

Genes

Hormones

ImmuneSystem

CardiovascularReactivity

Artifacts

SocioeconomicStatus

PhysicianBias

HealthBehaviors

PreventiveHealthCare

Smoking

Alcohol

Drugs

OverweightandObesity

Exercise

Men’sandWomen’sSocialRoles

JobCharacteristics

Driving

RiskyBehavior

ConcernsWithHealth

NurturantRoles

Gender-RelatedTraits

SymptomPerception

Evidence

Explanations

IllnessBehavior

ImplicationsforMorbidity

ImplicationsforMortality

Conclusions

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

11RelationshipsandHealth

EffectofSocialSupportonHealth

SexComparisons

Evidence:RelationstoHealth

EffectofMarriageonHealth

Evidence

Explanations

EffectofBereavementonHealth

Evidence

Explanations

EffectofRelationshipDissolutiononHealth

Evidence

Explanations

MaritalTransitionsandHealth

EffectofMaritalQualityonHealth

EvidenceFromSurveyStudies

EvidenceFromLaboratoryStudies

Explanations

Summary:QuantityVersusQuality?

DivisionofLabor

WhoDoesWhat?

WhatDeterminesWhoDoesWhat?

Satisfaction

ParentingandHealth

EffectsoftheParentRoleonHealth

EffectofParenthoodonMarriage

IntimatePartnerViolence

Incidence

Explanations

CharacteristicsofPerpetratorandVictim Theories

RapeandOtherFormsofSexualCoercion

Definitions

Incidence

RapeMyths

CharacteristicsofPerpetrator

CharacteristicsofVictim

Theories

PerceptionsofRape

Stalking

IncidenceandConsequences

PerceptionsofStalking

Theories

Summary

DiscussionQuestions SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

12PaidWorkerRoleandHealth

PaidWorkerRole

EffectsofWomen’sEmploymentonHealth

EffectsontheFamily

Retirement

CombiningPaidLaborWithFamilyRoles

EffectsofthePaidWorkerRoleonFamilyRoles

EffectsofFamilyRolesonthePaidWorkerRole

DifficultiesinCombiningRoles

QualityofPaidWorkerRole

CharacteristicsofPaidWork

EffectsonHealth

Discrimination

PayDisparity

DenialofDiscrimination

SexualHarassment

Definitions

Incidence

OutcomesofSexualHarassment

CharacteristicsofPerpetrator

CharacteristicsofVictim

Theories

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

13MentalHealth

SexDifferencesinDepression

MethodologicalArtifacts

ClinicianBias

ResponseBias

DifferentManifestationsofDepression

TheoriesofDepression

Biology

LearnedHelplessness

Coping

StressfulLifeEvents

TheFemaleGenderRole

Caregiving

ChallengesofAdolescence

GenderIntensification

Puberty

BodyImage

Peers

AdjustmenttoChronicIllness

MaleGenderRole

FemaleGenderRole

EatingDisorders

DefinitionsandPrevalence

Consequences

Etiology

Suicide

Incidence

Attempts

TheGenderParadox

FactorsAssociatedWithSuicideAmongAdults

FactorsAssociatedWithSuicideAmongAdolescents

Summary

DiscussionQuestions

SuggestedReading

KeyTerms

AuthorIndex

SubjectIndex

Preface

Thepurposeofthistextistoprovideareviewoftheempiricalresearchandconceptual discussionssurroundinggenderandtoexaminetheimplicationsofgenderfor relationshipsandhealth.Thefocusofthisbookgoesbeyondsexalonewhetheroneis biologicallymaleorfemaletoexploretherolesthatsocietyhasassignedtowomenand menandtheothervariablesthatco-occurwithsex,suchasstatusandgender-related traits.Theimplicationsofsocialroles,status,andgender-relatedtraitsforrelationships andhealthareexaminedThisiswhythebookisentitledThePsychologyofGender ratherthanThePsychologyofSex.Genderisatermthatrepresentsthesocialand culturalforcesthatinfluencemenandwomeninoursocietyThebookdiscussesthe “psychology”ofgenderbecausethefocusisontheindividualinthesocialcontext.The primaryfocusisnotonbiologyandanthropology,althoughtheircontributionstothe studyofgenderareincluded

Ratherthanrevieweverytopicrelatedtogender,Iexaminetheimplicationsofgender fortwobroaddomainsofresearch:relationshipsandhealthThesedomainsarechosen, first,becausetheyarecentraltoourlives.Friendships,romanticrelationships,and relationshipsatworkhaveagreatimpactonourday-to-dayfunctioning.Psychological well-beingandphysicalhealthareimportantoutcomesintheirownrightAsecond reasonforthefocusonrelationshipsandhealthisthatthesearedomainsinwhich gender-rolesocializationplaysaprominentroleObservedsexdifferencescannotbe attributedtobiologyalone;thus,relationshipsandhealtharedomainsthatarerelevant tothesocialcategoryofgender.

Multipleperspectivesonthedevelopmentofdifferencesbetweenmenandwomenare offered,buttheprimaryperspectivethatIemphasizeisasocial-psychologicalone.I examinegenderasanindividualdifferencevariablebutfocusontheinfluenceofthe contextthesituation,theenvironment,thecultureongender.Ihavedrawnfrom researchintheareasofpsychology,biology,sociology,anthropology,medicine,and publichealth.Ratherthanconsiderthesedisciplines’influenceasindependent,however, thereisgreaterrecognitioninthiseditionofthebookoftheinteractionbetween biologicalandsocialtheories

Idonotmerelyitemizesexdifferencesinthistext.Inmanydomains,sexdifferences aremoreelusivethanpeoplebelieveIhighlightbothsimilaritiesanddifferencesand remindthereaderaboutthemagnitudeofdifferencesthroughoutthechapters.Ialso pointoutmethodologicalflawsordifficultiesthatmaybearontheobservanceofsex differencesThefocusofthebookisontheexplanationsforwomen’sandmen’s thoughts,feelings,andbehaviornotsimplyasummarystatementofthesimilaritiesand differencesbetweenmenandwomen

ContentOverview

Thebookisdividedroughlyintothreeparts,witheachsectionbuildingontheprevious one.First,thenatureofgenderandthedevelopmentofgenderrolesarepresented.Inthe firstchapter,Iprovideabriefoverviewofthefieldofgender,includinghowgenderis construedacrossculturesandsomeofthephilosophicalandpoliticalcontroversiesinthe areaInChapter2,Ireviewthescientificmethodthatisusedtostudygender,including theuniquedifficultiesthatariseinthisfield,aswellasprovideabriefhistoryofthe psychologyofgender,whichincludesareviewofthevariousinstrumentsusedtostudy genderInChapter3,Ipresentresearchonattitudestowardgenderandgenderroles, focusinglargelyonsexismandgender-rolestereotypes.ThenIturntotheresearch literaturetoprovidethecurrentdata(Chapter4)andtheory(Chapter5)onsex differencesincognitive,social,andemotionaldomains.InChapter5,Idiscussdifferent theoriesofgender-roledevelopment,suchasevolutionarytheory,sociallearningtheory, socialroletheory,andgenderschematheory.InChapter6,Idiscusstheimplicationsof genderandgenderrolesforachievement.Thus,inthefirstsectionofthisbook,Iprovide importantinformationonthesimilaritiesanddifferencesbetweenwomenandmenand thetheoriesthatexplainanyobserveddifferences.Thedataandthetheoriesare importantforunderstandingthesubsequentsectionsofthisbookthataddressthe implicationsofgenderforrelationshipsandhealth.

Thesecondsectionofthisbookbeginswithadiscussionofwomen’sandmen’s communicationandinteractionstyles(Chapter7)Thesefindingshaveimplicationsfor thespecificrelationshipsdiscussed:friendship(Chapter8)andromanticrelationships (Chapter9)Researchoncross-sexfriendship,relationshipsamongsexualminorities,and friendshipsatworkareincludedinthesechapters.Theroleofgenderinrelationshipsis criticaltounderstandingthethirdsectionofthebook,howgenderinfluenceshealth.

Thethirdsectionbeginswithachapterthatprovidesanoverviewofsexdifferencesin healthandtheoriesastotheirorigins(Chapter10).Healthisbroadlyconstruedinthis booktoreflectphysicalhealthproblems,suchascoronaryarterydisease,aswellas mentalhealthproblems,suchasdepressionandeatingdisorders.InChapter11,I investigatehowgenderaffectstheassociationofrelationshipstohealth.Theeffectsof marriageandparentingonhealtharereviewed,asaretheeffectsofrelationshipsgone awry,specificallydomesticabuse,rape,andstalking.Chapter12presentsan examinationofhowgenderaffectstheassociationofworktohealth,whichincludesa substantivediscussionofpaydisparityandsexualharassment.Thefinalchapterfocuses ontheimplicationsofgenderformentalhealthspecifically,depression,eating disorders,andsuicide.

NewtoThisEdition

Forthoseofyouwhoarefamiliarwiththepreviouseditions,Iwouldliketohighlight somechangesthatIhavemadetothisfifthedition.Iwrotethefirsteditionofthisbook duringtheyearaftermydaughterwasbornNowsheisaseniorinhighschooland couldbereadingthisbooklikeanyothertextnextyear.Alothaschanged.Aftermy daughterwasborn,Itooka1-yearsabbaticaltowritethisbookItneveroccurredtome toaskformaternityleave.Idon’tevenknowifitexisted,butI’veseenwomen colleaguesaroundmetakeleavesandpostponethetenureclockintheinterveningyears. I’veseendadstaketimeoff,andI’veseenmorechildrenatworkTheworkenvironment isbecomingmore“familyfriendly.”

ThiseditionofthebookseemsdifferentfromtheothersAswiththeprevious editions,Iupdatedalloftheresearch.Genderhasalwaysbeenamovingtarget.Butthis fiftheditionseemsmorelikeanoverhaulthanarevisionTherehasbeenaseachangein theareaofgender.Therearesectionsofthebookthathadtobecompletelyrewritten becauseofthesechanges.Forexample,thedebatesoncohabitationandsingle-sex educationarenomore:Thenegativeeffectsofcohabitationonrelationshipsare disappearing,andthereisnosubstantiveevidencethatsingle-sexeducationisbeneficial. Themurkyliteratureongenderanddivorcehasbeenclarified:Mensuffermorethan women.Despitethefactthatsocietycontinuestolabelmathasmale,sexdifferencesin mathhaveallbutdisappeared.Thesciencehasproliferatedandtheresearchhasbecome morerigorousOnasocietallevel,genderhasalsochangedItisnowlegalfor homosexualcouplestomarry,andtheshiftinopiniontowardhomosexualsisthemost dramaticchangeinattitudeIhaveseeninmylifetimeInfact,theconversationhas shiftedfromhomosexualitytotransgenderindividualsandgenderfluidity.This conversationisnowpartofthetext.

ThereareseveralotherconversationsthathavebecomepartofthistextbookFirst,it isnowincreasinglyrecognizedthatthecategoryofgendercannotbestudied independentofothersocialcategories,suchasrace,ethnicity,andsocialclassThis recognition,referredtoas“intersectionality,”isbeginningtobereflectedintheresearch literatureandhasbecomepartofthistext.Relatedly,onetheorythatisincreasingly appliedtothestudyofgender,intermsofsexismanddiscrimination,isgendersystem justification.Thattheoryisfeaturedmoreprominentlyinthistext.Third,our conversationsarebecomingincreasinglyelectronicResearchononlinecommunication isdiscussedintermsofitsimplicationsforwomen’sandmen’srelationships.Finally, thereisgreaterelaborationonsometopics,suchasgenderandparenting,genderandthe workplace,andbalancingfamilyandwork.

Website

Thiseditionincludesacompanionwebsiteatwww.routledge.com/cw/Helgeson.There instructorswillfindPowerPointslides,multiple-choicequizzes,andshort-answer questionswithsuggestedanswersforeachchapter;andstudentswillfindflashcardsof keyterms,chapteroutlines,andlinkstorelatedwebsitesandfurtherreading.

LearningTools

Genderisatopicwithwhichallofusarefamiliar,regardlessofthescientificliterature. Thus,itissometimesdifficulttomeshpersonalexperienceswiththeresearchliterature. Tohelpstudentsintegratethetwo,eachofthechaptersincludesmini-experiments (entitled“DoGender”)forstudentstotestsomeoftheresearchideaspresented.The resultsoftheseexperimentswillnotalwaysworkoutasintended,partlybecausethe samplesizeswillbesmall,partlybecausethesampleswillnotberepresentative,and partlybecausethebestideasdonotalwaystranslateintothebestresearchdesigns.The purposeoftheexercisesistoallowstudentstogainexperiencewithsomeofthemethods usedtostudygenderandtolearnfirsthandabouthowpeopleexperiencegenderintheir livesWhentopicsofspecialinterestariseorwhatwouldbereferredtoas“goingoffon atangent”inclassIincludedsidebars,suchas“HowtoRaiseaGender-Aschematic Child,”“ParentingAmongSexualMinorities,”“TheFutureofTitleIX,”or“Does AbstinenceOnlyWork?”Otheraidstolearningincludekeytermsinboldface throughoutthechaptersandasummaryofkeytermsanddefinitionsattheendofthe chapter,summariesofthemainpointsattheendofthechapter,alistofthoughtprovokingdiscussionquestions,andalistofsuggestedreadingsaccompanyingeach chapterTomakethetextmoreuser-friendlyforstudents,Ihaveaddedasectionentitled “TakeHomePoints”attheendofeachsectionofachapter.Here,Isummarizethemajor pointsinbullet-pointform.

IntendedAudience

Thistextcanbeusedforanundergraduatecourseonthepsychologyofgender,the psychologyofwomenormen,women’sormen’sstudiesandgenderissuestaughtin psychology,women’sstudies,genderstudies,sociology,andanthropology,preferablyfor moreadvancedstudents.Thistextcouldalsobesupplementedwithempiricalreadings foragraduate-levelcourseThebookshouldhavewidespreadappealtostudentsinthe sciencesandhumanities.Studentsdonothavetobepsychologymajorstoreadthistext, butsomeknowledgeofresearchmethodswouldbehelpful.Becausesocial-psychological theoriesaresowidelydiscussedinthistext,astudentwhohastakensuchacoursewill findthebookespeciallyappealingandbeabletograspmanyoftheconceptsquite quicklyHowever,theoriesareexplainedinsufficientdetailthatstudentswithouta backgroundinsocialpsychologyorpsychologyshouldunderstandthematerial.I welcomestudentsfromotherdisciplinesintomycourseandfindthatthediversityin studentbackgroundsleadstomoreinterestingdiscussionsoftheissuesbroughtforthby thetext.

Acknowledgments

Iwouldliketothanktheanonymousreviewersofthepreviouseditionsofthisbookas wellasthepeoplewhogavesogenerouslyoftheirtimetoreadandcommenton chaptersofthefirstedition:RosalindBarnett,KayDeaux,AliceEagly,BarbaraGutek, JudithHall,SusanSprecher,andIngridWaldron.IwillalwaysbeindebtedtoLetitia AnnePeplauwhoreadtheentirefirsteditionofthisbook,provideddetailedfeedback, andaskedthought-provokingquestions.Thesepeople’scommentsandsuggestionshave enhancedandenduredthroughouttheeditionsofthisbook

IoweagreatdealofgratitudetothemanystaffmembersandstudentsatCarnegie MellonUniversitywhohavehelpedmewitheacheditionofthebook.Iespecially appreciatetheeffortsofJenniferShinwhospentcountlesshourshelpingmetofind references,statistics,andInternetarticlestoupdatethisbookandtoAbigailKunz Vaughnforhelpingmeobtainpermissionsforthefiguresandforcountlessothercritical tasksthatputthisbooktogether.IalsogreatlyappreciatetheworkofStephanieBorisfor helpingtocreatemanyofthe“visuals”inthisedition.Iwillalwaysbeindebtedto DeniseDeverts,whowentthrougheverypageofthefirstvolumeofthisbookwitha fine-toothedcomb,askedquestionsaboutstatementsthatwerelessthansensible,and providedcreativeideastobringthebooktolifeIalsowanttothankthestudentsinthe psychologyofgenderclassesthatIhavetaughtoverthelast25yearsforinspiringmeto writethisbook.

IwouldliketothankDebraRiegertfromRoutledge/TaylorandFrancisforbeingthe mostresponsiveeditoronecouldhopefor.Nomatterhowsmallmyquestion,Icould alwayscountonDebraforatimelyresponseIgreatlyappreciateherpatiencewithallof myrequestsandheraccommodatingallofmyself-imposeddeadlinesthroughoutthis process.

Finally,Iwouldliketothankmyfamily:mymotherandfatherforalltheirloveand supportovertheyears;myhusband,Mark,forkeepingmeintouchwiththe“realworld” outsideofacademiaandforhispatienceandassistancewith“lifework”asIworkedon thisrevision;andmydaughterKatjaforteachingmeaboutmyself,challengingmy assumptions,andprovidingmewithvividexamplesofgender-rolesocialization

AbouttheAuthor

VickiS.Helgesonisasocial/healthpsychologistwhostudiestheintersectionofgender, relationships,andhealth.Shehasconductedextensiveresearchontheimplicationsof gender-relatedtraits,inparticularunmitigatedcommunionandunmitigatedagency,for relationshipsandhealth.Herworkhasinvolvedstudiesofchildren,adults,healthy populations,andpeoplewithchronicillnesses,suchascancer,heartdisease,andmost recentlydiabetes.ShehasreceivedcontinuousfundingfromtheNationalInstitutesof Healthsince1993tosupportherworkHelgesonhasbeenonthefacultyatCarnegie MellonUniversityfor25yearsandteachessocialpsychologyaswellaspsychologyof gender.

Chapter1 Introduction

In1998,mydaughterwasbornandsowasmyownpersonalexperiencewiththe psychologyofgender.Asanadvocateofequalopportunitiesandequaltreatmentfor menandwomen,Ithoughtthispracticeshouldbeginwithinfancy.Tostart,my husbandandItriednottoletgenderbetheoverridingprinciplebywhichwechose Katja’stoysandclothes.Thisprovedtobefarmoredifficultthanwethought.Ininfancy, thereareafairnumberof“gender-neutral”clothesandtoysButby1yearofage,the boys’toysandclothesareinonesection,thegirls’inanother,andthereislittlecommon ground.Ifinallyfiguredoutwhytherearegender-neutralclothesforinfants:Many parents-to-beandgiftgiversmakepurchasesbeforethebabyisbornanddon’tknowthe sexofthenewborn.Byage1,everyoneknows.

BydressingKatjaingender-neutralclothes,Ilearnedthatthedefaultassumptionof otherswasshemustbeaboy.Anyinfantgirlinherrightmind(orherparents’right mind)wouldwearpinkorrufflesorhavebowsinherhair(seeFigure11)orhaveher earspierced!

Figure11Thisinfanthasabowinherhairtosignaltosocietythatsheisafemale Kiley,LeeAnne“ShannonKiley”2005

BecauseIpersonallydislikepink(probablynotacoincidence),Katjahadalotofblue, yellow,purple,andred.(Thisdidcomebacktohauntmearoundage4whenpink emergedasherfavoritecolor!However,itlastedonlyayearandnowshehatespink.See pinkfrillydressphenomenoninchapter5)Whenwecarriedheraroundasaninfant, peopleinthegrocerystoreortheshoppingmallwouldcommentonwhatacuteboywe hadWhenwementionedhewasashe,peopleoftensubtlyreprimandedusfornot providingtheappropriatecues:thepink,theruffles,thehairbows.Somepeople remarkedthatofcourseshewasagirlbecauseshehadsomuchhairIknowofno evidencethatgirlsarebornwithmorehairthanboys.Ifounditaninterestingparadox thatthebiologicaldefaultisfemale(i.e.,atconception,theembryoisdestinedtobecome femaleunlessexposedtomalehormones),butthesocialdefaultismaleWhenindoubt, assumethebabyisaboyunlesstherearestrongsocialcuesindicatingthebabyisagirl. ItisnotnearlyasoffensivetoassumeagirlisaboyastoassumeaboyisagirlBut peopledoexpectyoutobeoffended.WhensomeonedidmistakeKatjaforaboy,I wasn’tsurprised.Howcanyoutellatthatage?Butthepersonwhomadetheremark wasalwaysextremelyapologetic,assumingshehadinsultedmebyassumingKatjawas oftheothersex.

Byage1,girls’andboys’clotheshavelittleincommonBluejeansthatareplainin theboys’sectionaredecoratedwithflowers,ruffles,orsequinsinthegirls’section.A

simplepairofshortsintheboys’departmentiselaboratedwithaflapinthegirls’ departmentsoitlookslikeaskirt.Girls’clothesarecoveredwithanamazingassortment offlowersGirlsalsoareexpectedtoweardressesHowpracticalisittoplayinthesand, climbatree,andrunaroundinadress?Youcan’tevenbuysocksthatareforbothboys andgirls;thereareboysocksandgirlsocks.Guesswhichoneshaveruffles.

ThepointIamtryingtoconveyisthatsexisaveryimportantcategorytousasa society.Infact,sexisoneofthefirstcategorieslearnedbychildrenbecause(a)sexis typicallyconsideredtohaveonlytwocategories,(b)thecategoriesaremutually exclusive,and(c)weareimmediatelyexposedtomembersofbothcategories(Zemore, Fiske,&Kim,2000).Aninfant’ssexisoneofthefirstthingsyoutrytofigureoutabout herorhimandoneofthefirstthingsyounoticeaboutachildoranadultHaveyouever foundyourselfinasituationwhereyoudidn’tknowthesexofaperson,ormistook someoneforthewrongsex?IrememberbeinginaVictoria’sSecretwithmyteenage daughterandhavingthecashieraskuswhohelpedus.Westumbledtryingtofigureout awaytorefertotheclerkwithoutapronounbecauseneitherofuswerecertainwhether thepersonwasfemaleormale(BeinginaVictoria’sSecret,onemightassumethe personwasfemale,butwelaterfoundoutthepersonwasmale!)Whyarewebothered somuchbythesesituations?Whydoweneedtoknowtheperson’ssextointeractwith herorhim?Aperson’ssexreally,aperson’sgender(Iexplainthedistinctioninthe nextsection)hasimplicationsforourfeelings,ourbeliefs,andourbehaviortowardthe personYourowngenderhasimplicationsforhowothersfeelaboutyou,whatothers thinkaboutyou,andhowothersbehavetowardyouandperhapsforhowyoufeeland thinkaboutyourself

Genderhasbeenthesubjectofscientificscrutinyforoveracentury.Scientistshave debatedthesimilaritiesaswellasthedifferencesbetweenwomenandmen:Aremen betteratmaththanwomen?Arewomenmoreemotionalthanmen?Aremenmore aggressivethanwomen?Domenandwomenhavethesamecapacitiestobeengineers, nurses,andlawyers?Scientistshavealsoexaminedtheimplicationsofbeingfemaleand maleforone’srelationshipsandone’shealth:Arewomen’srelationshipscloserthan thoseofmen?Doesmarriageprovidemorehealthbenefitsformencomparedtowomen? Arewomenmoredepressedthanmen?Aremenlesswillingthanwomentoseekhelp forhealthproblems?

YouhaveprobablythoughtaboutsomeofthesequestionsYoumaybefairly confidentyouknowtheanswerstosomeofthem.Genderisatopicwithwhichweare allintimatelyfamiliarWhatwomandoubtsthatmenarelesslikelythanwomentoask fordirections?Whatmandoubtsthatwomenaremorelikelythanmentodwellontheir problems?Wehavemanyexperienceswebringtobearontheseissues,butour anecdotalobservationsarenotthesameasobservationsgainedfromwell-established scientificmethods.Infact,ouranecdotalobservationsmaybebiasedinfavorofsex differenceswhendifferencesdonotreallyexistbecausedifferencesaremorenoticeable thansimilaritiesandourbeliefscanshapewhatwesee.Whenevaluatingtheliterature thatcompareswomenandmen,youwillseetheanswertothequestionofsex

differencesorsimilaritiesisusuallyfairlycomplicatedTheappearanceofsexdifferences dependsonmyriadfactors:place,time,audience,andcharacteristicsoftheobserver.

Inthistext,Ievaluatetheliteratureonthepsychologyofgender,payingspecial attentiontotheimplicationsthatgenderhasforourrelationshipsandourhealth.Ibegin thisfirstchapterbydefiningtheterminologyusedinthestudyofgender.Next,I commentonhowgenderisconstruedinotherculturesFinally,Iconcludethechapter byprovidinganoverviewofthevariouspoliticalandphilosophicalviewpointsthat manyresearchershavetakenwhenstudyinggender

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