CHAPTER II

Gender Identity, Role & Development

BILLY JOEL B. RAMOS
Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, students are able to:

1. Examine the differences between male and female biological makeup;
2. Distinguish the agents of socialization;
3. Discuss the roles of culture and socialization in the construction of
gender, and;
4. Expound the theories of socialization: Social Learning, and Cognitive
Development.
Hormones play a huge role in gender
differences and it is our DNA that dictates
our behavior as men and women. Men and
women have different brain structures.
Women have evolved to be the carriers of
children whilst men have evolved to be
the providers for their families. Women
have predetermined characteristics like
being: more caring, protective and loyal
than men. Men have predetermined
characteristics like being: more
aggressive, competitive and dominant
than women.
Hormones: The Biological Cause Of Gender Differences

Hormones are chemicals in the body that regulate

changes in our cells. This includes growth and as a result, is
very important in explaining our gender differences. You may
have heard of the largely male hormone: testosterone and the
largely female hormone: estrogen - and know that they have
effects in our bodies that lead men and women to act more
like, well, men and women.
Chromosomes: The Fundamental Cause of Gender Differences

● 23 paired chromosomes (total 46)

● Chromosomes are made by DNA
● the DNA that decides whether a newly
fertilized ovum (egg cells) becomes a
male or female is found. If the sperm
that fertilized the ovum is carrying a Y
chromosome, then the zygote (the
name given to an egg that has just
been fertilized)
● 23rd paired chromosomes identified
the gender
○ XX - FEMALE
○ XY - MALE
Chromosomes: The Fundamental Cause of Gender Differences

● 6 weeks after conception and the Y

chromosomes in males results in changes the
lead to the gonads becoming testiscle.
● If Y chromosomes is not presented then the
gonads become ovaries.
● So we know that at its very core the cause of
physical differences in men and women is
due to biological differences in DNA.
● Meanwhile, an individual's personal sense of
maleness or femaleness is his or her gender
identity. Outward expression of gender
identity, according to cultural and social
expectations, is a gender role.
Psychological and Social Influences on Gender Identity

Gender identity is ultimately derived from chromosomal makeup and

physical appearance, but this derivation of gender identity does not mean
that psychosocial influences are missing. Gender socialization, or the
process whereby a child learns the norms and roles that society has
created for his or her gender, plays a significant role in the establishment
of her or his sense of femaleness or maleness.
Psychological and Social Influences on Gender Identity

Beginning at birth, most parents treat their children according to the appearance
of their genitals. Parents even handle their baby girls less aggressively than their
baby boys. Children quickly develop a clear understanding that they are either
female or male, as well as a strong desire to adopt gender‐appropriate
mannerisms and behaviors. This understanding normally occurs within 2 years
of age, according to many authorities. In short, biology sets the stage, but
children's interactions with social environments determine the nature of gender
identity.
Gender roles
Gender roles are both cultural and personal. These roles determine how males and females
think, speak, dress, and interact within the context of society. Learning plays a role in this
process of shaping gender roles. These gender schemas are deeply embedded cognitive
frameworks regarding what defines masculine and feminine.

There are four major theories that can be attributed to the

development of a person’s identity: Psychoanalytic, Social-
Learning Theory, and Cognitive-developmental Theory.
Psychoanalytic Theory
Psychoanalytic Theory by Sigmund Freud
Freud further structured the psyche/mind into three parts:
🞇 Id. It operates on the pleasure principle. Every wishful impulse should be
satisfied immediately, regardless of the consequences. When the id achieves its
demands, you experience pleasure; when it is denied, you experience
“unpleasure” or tension.
🞇 Ego. It operates according to the reality principle. It works out realistic ways
of satisfying the id’s demands (often compromising or postponing satisfaction
to avoid negative consequences of society). The ego considers social realities
and norms, etiquette, and rules in deciding how to behave.
🞇 Superego. It incorporates the values and morals of society. The superego’s
function is to control the id’s impulses. It persuades the ego to choose
moralistic goals and to strive for perfection rather than simply realistic ones.
Psychosexual Development by Sigmund Freud
boys experience the Oedipus
complex and identify with their
father and take on a male
gender role; girls experience
the Electra complex and
identify with their mother and
take on a female gender role.
Social Learning Theory

The Social Learning Theory was proposed by Bandura as a way of explaining how children acquire their gender
identity based on the influence of other people (particularly their parents).

Stages of Learning
There are four stages that a child goes through when develop gender behavior. These are:

1. Attention. This is merely where the behavior is noticed and observed.

2. Memory. This is when the behavior is memorized and committed to memory.
3. Imitation. The behavior is performed or 'reproduced' based on Imitating what they see around them.
4. Motivation. Their behavior is based on the desired consequences or what will be gained by the behavior,
either immediately or in the near future.
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Cognitive Developmental Theory

This approach focuses upon the thought processes underlying learning. It

emphasizes to cognition when understanding and explaining behavior. This
theory gives importance to the internal states of the person as well as the
environmental events; however, it is the thinking and perception that is the
key factor.
Cognitive Developmental Theory

The term cognition refers to "knowledge" as well as "the process of

knowing" Cognitive approach emphasizes: thoughts, feelings, thinking,
values, expectations, etc.

The theory proposes the interaction of mental schema and social experience
in directing gender role behavior. The cognitive approach focuses upon the
child's "understanding".
Cognitive Developmental Theory

Example: information about which toys are for girls and which toys are
for boys form schema that guides behavior.

Example: If a son sees his mother and sisters respected in the family, he
will perceive women as respectable beings; and if he has seen his mother
being battered and maltreated by his father he will perceive that women
are taken as some less valued individuals.
Jean Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory
Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development in Social
Relationships