Gender - Biosocial Approach

Question 0

Money and Ehrhardt - Biosocial theory

Answer 0

Integrate influences of nature and nurture
Bio only determines sex of rearing
Differential treatment of boys and girls interacts with bio factors such as prenatal exposure to testosterone
If a boy is mislabelled as a girl before 3, he will acquire gender identity of a girl (not true)

Question 1

A01

Answer 1

Interaction between biological and Social influences.
Some gendered behaviours are universal from biology, others are caused by significant cultural differences.
Labelled set of roles created by society which differ between culture

Question 2

Biosocial Theory Evaluation

Answer 2

David Reimer study did not back it up
Sample bias
Derived from studies on abnormal individuals
Drugs from mothers
Cannot be generalised

Question 3

Eagly and Wood - Social Role Theory

Answer 3

Selective pressures - only cause physical differences which effect psychological differences and sex role allocations
Division of labour evolved
Where strength is not as required outside the home, social roles are more similar and psychological differences are reduced.

Mate choice - physical differences between men and women create social roles, and each gender maximises their outcomes by selecting someone who is at the epitome of their given abilities

Hormonal differences - men are more athletic and competitive so higher levels of testosterone are created within them

Question 4

Social role theory evaluation

Answer 4

Social factors are important in gender development and have reduced the division between roles.
Luxen et al - evolutionary can explain this in simpler forms
Constructionist approach
Human behaviour is an outcome of society
No objective reality
Behaviours best understood in terms of the social context in which they occur
Real world applications - feminism and opportunities for women. SR supports that changes in society will lead to changes in the psychological differences
High ethical appeal