PsychologyofGender FifthEdition
VickiS.Helgeson
ToallofthestudentsandresearchstaffatCarnegieMellonUniversitywhohave challengedmetothinkbeyondtheboundariesofconventionalresearchongenderand inspiredmeoverthepast25yearstobeabetterteacher,researcher,andperson
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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.
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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