sex gender and personality Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is the difference between sex and gender in psychology?
Sex refers to biological differences (e.g., chromosomes, hormones), while gender refers to psychological and social characteristics associated with being male or female.
What is the ‘minimalist’ view of sex differences?
Minimalists argue that sex differences are small and inconsequential for behaviour.
What is the ‘maximalist’ view of sex differences?
Maximalists believe that sex differences are significant and should be studied because even small effects can be important.
What is the effect size statistic (d) and how is it interpreted?
It quantifies the magnitude of sex differences:
d = 0.2 → small
d = 0.5 → medium
d = 0.8 → large
Positive d means men score higher; negative d means women score higher.
What are the main personality trait differences between men and women according to the Five-Factor Model?
Agreeableness: Women score higher
Neuroticism: Women score higher
Extraversion: Women score higher on warmth and gregariousness; men higher on assertiveness
Conscientiousness and Openness: No consistent large differences.
What are the sex differences in aggression?
Men are more physically aggressive (moderate to large effect size), and more likely to commit violent crimes.
What are the findings on sex differences in emotionality?
Women report experiencing and expressing emotions more frequently and intensely, especially sadness, fear, and guilt.
What is the social role theory explanation for sex differences?
Sex differences arise because men and women are distributed into different social roles, which shape behaviour and traits.
What is the hormonal theory of sex differences?
Hormonal differences (e.g., testosterone) lead to behavioural differences. For example, testosterone is linked to aggression and dominance in men.
What is gender schema theory?
This theory suggests we internalise gender roles through cultural and social learning, forming cognitive schemas that guide behaviour.
What is the evolutionary psychology perspective on sex differences?
Differences evolved because men and women faced different adaptive problems (e.g., mating strategies, parental investment).
What are agency and communion in gender research?
Agency (stereotypically masculine): assertiveness, control, independence
Communion (stereotypically feminine): nurturing, cooperation, warmth.
What is androgyny?
A personality style where a person possesses high levels of both masculine (instrumental) and feminine (expressive) traits.
What is the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)?
A scale that measures masculinity and femininity as separate dimensions, allowing for androgynous classification.
What criticisms have been made of sex-role measures like the BSRI?
Critics argue that these scales are based on outdated stereotypes and may not reflect modern understandings of gender.
What is the interactionist view on sex and gender differences?
Personality is shaped by both biological sex and social context (culture, expectations, learning).
