Biosocial Approach Gender
Development
Learning Objectives
- Describe and evaluate the biosocial
theory of gender development
- Describe and evaluate the social role
theory of gender development
Division of labour
Why are men seen as the “breadwinners”
or hunter gatherers?
Why are women often given the role of
homemaker and child minder?
Does our society today still benefit from
gender roles or is it becoming more
similar?
Exceptions
Agta Tribe
(Philippines)
Aka Tribe
(Africa)
Diana
Hunting
Goddess
Women during the Wars
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Mechanics
Engineers
Tank drivers
Building ships
Working in factories making bombs and
aircraft parts
Air raid wardens
Driving fire engines
Plumbers
Ambulance drivers
WRVS volunteers
Nurses
Biosocial Theory
Parental expectations
Money and Ehrhardt (1972)
Social Role Theory
Eagly and Wood (1999)
What about sex differences in
mate choice?
• Resources
• Domestic
• Compliment
each other
Hormonal differences
Are these differences a cause or an
outcome?
Eagly and Wood (2002) – hormonal
differences may be an outcome of social
roles e.g. testosterone as a result of
engaging in more active and competitive
activities
Social Constructionist Approach
Eagly and Wood
Human behaviour is mainly
an invention or outcome
of a particular society
or culture
Behaviours are best
explained in the context
in which they occur
Luxen (2007)
High ethical appeal if sex
roles are perceived as
more flexible
Buss (1989)
37 cultures examined
10,000 people
 Women desire mates
with good financial
prospects
 Men placed more
evidence on physical
attractiveness and
youth- fertility and
obedience
 Both look for
intelligence, kindness
and loyal/dependable
(supports evolutionary)
Eagly & Wood (1999)
 Used Gender
Empowerment Measure
 When women had higher
status (more equal) –
mating preferences
become less pronounced
 Therefore social roles
are driving force in
psychological sex
differences
However, Gangestad et al (2006)
Re-examined same data
Gender equality not related to sex
differences.
Therefore evolutionary theory better
explanation
Evaluation
Biosocial
 Lack of evidence
 Money’s study on David
Reimer
 Sample bias as Money’s
evidence cases all
abnormal not looking at
normal gender
development
Social Role
 Luxen (2007) argues
that selective pressure
on men and women would
create psychological and
physical sex differences
 Animals and human
children’s toy
preferences show
biological causes of sex
roles
Debate!
Social Role Theory V Evolutionary
Perspective!
Begin Preparation for this in class today