CHAPTER 1
Central Concepts in the Psychology of Women
Sex and Gender
sex
gender
“doing gender”-express gender and perceive gender in interaction
Is a dynamic process
Social Biases
Sexism-bias based on gender
Racism-racial groups
Classism-social class (income, occupation, education)
Heterosexism-sexual orientation
Ableism--disability
Ageism-chronological age
Feminist Approaches
Psychological Approaches to Gender Similarity and Difference
The Similarities Perspective: men/women similar—social forces create differences.
Similarities—alike in intellectual and social behaviors.
Socialization produces differences, not biology
Social constructionism—invent or construct own reality based on prior experiences,
social interactions, and beliefs.
Observations influenced by beliefs—no real objective reality
The Differences Perspective: men/women generally different—
differences between men/women stressed—due to essential qualities (biology) within
individual
Men---linked with reason and civilization.
Women---linked with emotion and nature
Men the standard—women deviations
May emphasize positive characteristics that have been undervalued in women. (similar to
Cultural feminism). Critics: stereotypes stronger with difference emphasis
Essentialism—basic, stable characteristic residing within individual. Internal characteristics
create nurturing behavior
All women share same psychological characteristics—different from men. Not consistent
with cross-cultural research.
A Brief History of the Psychology of Women
Early Studies of Gender Comparisons
G. Stanley Hall—movement against coeducation
Biased research about gender
Mostly men researchers—gender comparison. Difference in size of brain structures
Helen Thompson Woolley—similar intellectual abilities men/women, higher for women in
memory and thinking
Leta Stetter Hollinworth—menstrual cycle no effect on intellectual abilities
Early years: “early years of psychology womanless”
Few women psychologists, and experiences of females not thought to be important
Works of women may be overlooked
Authors referred to by first initial (not first name)
No gender-identifying info—so assume author is man
The Emergence of the Psychology of Women as a Discipline
1/3 members APA women—applied and social areas
few faculty at research universities
1969—Association for Women in Psychology, 1973---Society for Psych of Women—largest
division within APA
1970s—more women in psychology. Women’s movement and feminism gained attention.
Beginning women’s studies
Recent years: 1960’s beginning of feminist movement
Feminine Mystique, Equal Pay Act, and NOW formed.
Problems with the 1970s Framework
Extremely complicated issue—gender, not quickly “fixed”
Women sometimes blamed for fate---not assertive enough, afraid of success. (situation to
blame) Gender discrimination and sexism
The Current Status of the Psychology of Women—more research, 3 journals.
Women and Ethnicity
The White-as-Normative Concept—hidden assumptions
Peggy McIntosh—privileges of being white—take for granted.
History in schools—white children learn white history
Don’t belong to ethnic group—others do
Women of Color-Demographics—Latinas/latinos 2nd largest ethnic group in US
Much diversity in within every ethnic group
Chicano/Chicana--terms of reference
Black women—3rd largest ethnic group in US
Asian American women—origins from many different countries
Often stereotyped as “ideal minority”
Native American women
U.S.-Centered Nationalism—US considered normative—other countries “less than”. In a
position of privilege
Critical Thinking and the Psychology of Women
Ask good questions about what you see or hear
Determine whether conclusions are supported by the evidence that has been
presented
Suggest alternative interpretations of the evidence
Themes of the Textbook
Psychological Gender Differences Are Typically Small and Inconsistent
gender as a subject variable—within ind.
People React Differently to Men and Women
gender as a stimulus variable—others react to characteristic
Women Are Less Visible Than Men in Many Important Areas
Androcentric—male experience treated as the norm
Women Vary Widely From One Another