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Karen J. Prager, Ph.D., A.B.P.P. Professor of Psychology and Program Head for Gender Studies Diplomate in Family Psychology The University of Texas at Dallas |
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More Information About Dr. Prager's work Processes in Couple Relationships Teaching and Professional Practice Selected Papers and Publications
For Students:
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Recommended supplemental reading: Helgeson, pp. 195 - 211. Individual Consequences of Gender Stereotypes Stereotypes become internalized by individuals and have consequences for their personalities, social experiences, and self-concepts. Consequences are mostly negative. Measurement challenges when examining characteristics of personality. How do we judge? What are some problems with trusting self-reports? What problems might we have trusting other reports? Helping behavior/altruism Are women more helpful than men?Eagly & Crowley (1986) meta-analysis Measured: actual helping behavior in experimental studies Males more likely to help Modifiers: Danger Sex of recipient Public vs. private Year of study Sexuality Oliver & Hyde (1993) meta-analysis.DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL ATTITUDES Casual premarital sex Extra-marital sex. Masturbation Homosexual relationships Modifier: gender x gender effect Modifier time of study Age DIFFERENCES IN SEXUAL BEHAVIOR Multiple sexual partners. Masturbation Sexual satisfaction, kissing, oral sex Laumann et al. (1994 study): studied over 3000 people aged 18 to 59 Sex frequency Frequency of thinking about sex Where do (straight) men find all those partners if women report fewer partners? A few active women? Gay relationships? A response bias? DIFFERENCES IN VARIABILITY OF BEHAVIOR Women’s behavior more variable. Why? Baumeister (2000) – erotic plasticity. Ambiguity of social climate Women’s rights movement Religious beliefs Influence of other cultures Effects on Self-concept: the way we view ourselves Self-esteem: How do I evaluate myself? Meta-analysis by Feingold (1994) Locus of control: How much am I in control of outcomes in my life? Modifiers: Age Racial background Explanations: Stereotypic norms? Conformity pressure? Attention from teachers? A measurement artifact? Different sources of self-regard for males & females? Domain, value of domain, and self-esteem We’ll get back to emotionality & self-expression when we talk about relationships. Self-confidence: how do I evaluate my abilities? Who predicts they will perform better overall? Sex-typing of tasks: What are the effects? Explanation: Is it more socially acceptable for girls to lack self-confidence? Attributions for success & failure Dimensions of success/failure attributions:
Gender difference? Impact on self-confidence of women? Should we teach people more adaptive attributions? Body Image Who is less satisfied?Who wants to be thinner? Age effects? Effect on mental health Eating disorders Modifiers The media Racial background Sexual orientation Effects on Mental Health Behavioral flexibility Sandra Bem’s studies in the 1970s: Flexibility & androgyny.Hammering, playing with a baby, talking to a sad person. Fear of femininity in males 6 manifestations Behavioral restrictions/fewer options Role strain Role conflict in females: less than in the past Superwoman-expectations |