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 |
More Information About Dr. Prager's work Processes in Couple Relationships Teaching and Professional Practice Selected Papers and Publications
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syllabus
GENDER IN INTERACTION Overview 1) Gender is a set of ideas (schemas) and a set of normative behaviors2) Gender schemas are outside of awareness yet affect perception, interpretation, and memory 3) Gender schemas lead us to treat women and men differently 4) People respond to different treatment by behaving differently 5) Gendered behaviors may reflect different statuses and roles The self-fulfilling prophecy:
How does self-fulfilling prophecy process work? A self-perpetuating cycle that requires effort to change. The Cognitive Component: Gender schemas: Conscious and unconscious. The impact: Prior knowledge affects perceptions Stereotypes are part of prior knowledge Situations prime schemas for use. Outside of awareness. The behavioral component Men and women are treated differently. At work In school During group discussions The interaction between schemas and behavior: Expectancy confirmation Refers to how the self-fulfilling prophecy processconfirms the content of our schemas. Confirmation: our stereotypes are supported by what we observe in the other person. We may be wrong: We may think our stereotypes are being confirmed when something else entirely is going on. The effects of roles & status on behavior Social roles themselves constrain behavior.Person-situation interaction: We choose (some) situations because of our personalities. Those situations then shape our personalities. ambiguous situations: Others' roles and status affect attributions.When role & status are unknown, we are most likely to rely on stereotypes. We understand them by using stereotypes. When we see sex-typed behavior, how do we explain it to ourselves? 1) The fundamental attribution error.Behavior is due to disposition rather than role. 2) Error based on group consensus Assuming common social constructions are true because they are common. 3) Valuing what is common: Assuming common social constructions reflect genuine value. That which is familiar is that which is right & good. |