Theoretical

Approaches to
Gender
De v e lo p m e
n t
G E 1 1 G EN D ER AN D SO C

I ET Y

KENNETH EMMANUELLE BANA-AY

Biological Theories of Gender
Biological Theory offers one explanation for observable differences between
women and men. This approach maintains that the biological characteristics
of the sexes are the basis of gender differences.

chromosome chromosome
Biological Theories of Gender
A second focus of biological theories is the role of hormonal activity in
shaping sex-related behaviors. Sex hormones affect development of the brain
as well as the body.

Estrogen
responsible for the
development and regulation
of the female reproductive
system and secondary sex
characteristics
Testosterone
responsible for the
development of the male
reproductive tissues such as
testes and prostate, as well
as promoting secondary
sexual characteristics
 Biological Theories of Gender
A third focus of biological theories of difference is brain structure and
development, which appear to be linked to sex. Although there are some
inconsistencies in research findings, the majority of research indicates that,
although both women and men use both lobes of the brain, each sex tends
to specialize in one.

Men’s brains generally have Specializing in the

better-developed left lobes, right lobe, women tend to
which control linear have greater aptitude for
thinking, sequential imaginative and artistic
information, spatial skills, activity, for holistic,
and abstract, analytic intuitive thinking, and for
reasoning (Andersen, 2006; some visual and spatial tasks
Mealy, (Joseph, 2000; Mealy, 2000).
2000).
Interpersonal Theories of Gender

Psychodynamic Theory emphasizes interpersonal relationships

within the family that affect
a child’s sense of identity, particularly
his or her gender.

Psychological Theory stresses learning and role modeling

between children and a variety of
other people, including parents.

inTeRPeRSOnal RelaTIOnsHIP
Role modelling
Interpersonal Theories of Gender

Psychodynamic
assumes that
relationships, especially the earliest

Theory
ones, are central to human development.

infants develop a sense of self

and a gender identity as they internalize
the views of other people around
them during the early years.

Child In addition,
parents’
tendencies to
Mother and nurture,
 compete,
cooperate
, express
affection,
and so Core Self
forth
are internalized so
that the child
develops these
capacities as part
of herself
or himself.
 Interpersonal Theories of Gender

Psychological Theories
Also focus on the interpersonal bases of gender, but they do not emphasize
intrapsychic processes as do the psychodynamic explanations. Instead,
psychological theories of gender highlight the influence of communication on
gender.

Social Learning
Theory
Cognitive
Development
Theory
 Interpersonal Theories of Gender
Social Learning Theory
Claims that individuals Children imitate the Suggests that others’
learn to be masculine communication they see communication teaches
and feminine primarily on television, films, and boys and girls which
by imitating others and Internet, as well as the behaviors are appropriate
getting responses from communication of for them.
others to their behaviors. parents, teachers, siblings,
and Gender
Roles
others. Patterns of Behavior

Gendered
Masculinity
Interpersonal Theories of Gender
Cognitive Development Theory
Focuses on how individuals learn from interaction with others to define
themselves, including their gender.
Assumes that children play active roles in developing their gender identities.
Researchers claim that children pick models to teach themselves competency in
masculine or feminine behavior.
a person’s understanding that he or she is a male or
Gender female and this will not change.
Constancy
Cultural Theories of Gender

Anthropology
the cultural constructions observed,
performed, and understood in any
given society
Symbolic Interactionism claims that through communication with
others welearn who we are and what
that means in our culture
Cultural Theories of Gender
arbitrary and variable nature of gender by seeing
Anthropology the different views of men and women held in
diverse cultures.

the most important lesson

we can draw from
anthropological studies is
that cultures profoundly
shape gender identity.
 Cultural Theories of Gender

Symbolic Communication is the central process whereby we

gain a sense of who we are; from the moment of
Interactionism birth, we engage in interaction with others,
especially parents, who tell us who we are, what is
appropriate for us, and what is unacceptable.

Gender Roles
Roles are external to individuals because a society defines
roles in general ways that transcend particular individuals.

Asecond important dimension of role is that it is

internalized. For social specifications of behaviors to be
effective, individuals must internalize them.
Critical Theories of Gender

Standpoint focuses on how membership in groups, such as those

designated by gender, race, class, and sexual identity,
Theory shapes what individuals experience, know, feel, and do,
as well as how individuals understand social life as a
whole.

(1) all perspectives on social life are partial;

(2) some perspectives are more limited than others;
(3) a standpoint is earned, in part, by reflecting on multiple perspectives.

Location Standpoint
the combination according to which they are compared and judged.
of factors
including
gender, race,
social class,
age, ability,
religion, sexual
orientation, and
geographic
location.

a position
from
which
objects or
principles
viewed
and
Critical Theories of Gender

Queer critique of conventional categories of identity and cultural

views of “normal” and “abnormal,” particularly in relation to
Theory sexuality.

assumes that identities are not fixed, but are relatively fluid.

argues that humans generate identities, including

gender, through performance or expression.
Performative performances are not solo operations. They are always

Theory collaborative, because however we express gender, we

do so in a context of social meanings that transcends our
individual
experiences.