Sumamry of Chapter 3: Sex and Gender Roles
Bibi Ali
Professor Wiley
Sociology 257- Sex and Gender Roles
Homework Assignment #3 - How Do Disciplines Outside of Sociology Study Gender? This chapter sheds light on how gender is analyzed outside of a societal standpoint. Yes, this chapter talks about gender from a sociological point of view but it was definitely not the first to evaluate gender roles. Psychology was one of the first to analyze how gender roles are important. Freud who was a famous psychologist studied the importance of gender and how the individual uses it to grow into themselves. His studies focused on feminism and postmodern traditions. His study of the Oedipus Complex is based on how men develop a sense of masculinity. His studies greatly contribute to the analytical concept of masculinity and feminism. Another form is how gender is studied outside of Sociology is Sex Differences Research. In the 1970’s this type of research focused on the traits, behaviors and character of men and woman and if they differ significantly. This research has conjured up a massive amount of results that resulted in that male and females do indeed have different cognitive abilities. One example that was given in this chapter was the research that was done that came to the conclusion that women have a higher ability in visuospatial abilities, they are more better at deciphering facial expressions. I found this exceptionally interesting because I myself is very expressive. My facial features do show a lot when I speak, or shows what I am feeling on the outside. Maybe this is a contribution that most women have. Since us women are more expressive with our emotions, maybe we have a higher capability of detecting facial expressions. Another example of visuospatial abilities amongst men is the act aiming; for instance throwing a basketball. I found this interesting because the NBA is dominated by men. The sport industry has made fortunes off men aiming an object, preferably something round into a
Professor Wiley
Sociology 257- Sex and Gender Roles
Homework Assignment #3 - How Do Disciplines Outside of Sociology Study Gender? This chapter sheds light on how gender is analyzed outside of a societal standpoint. Yes, this chapter talks about gender from a sociological point of view but it was definitely not the first to evaluate gender roles. Psychology was one of the first to analyze how gender roles are important. Freud who was a famous psychologist studied the importance of gender and how the individual uses it to grow into themselves. His studies focused on feminism and postmodern traditions. His study of the Oedipus Complex is based on how men develop a sense of masculinity. His studies greatly contribute to the analytical concept of masculinity and feminism. Another form is how gender is studied outside of Sociology is Sex Differences Research. In the 1970’s this type of research focused on the traits, behaviors and character of men and woman and if they differ significantly. This research has conjured up a massive amount of results that resulted in that male and females do indeed have different cognitive abilities. One example that was given in this chapter was the research that was done that came to the conclusion that women have a higher ability in visuospatial abilities, they are more better at deciphering facial expressions. I found this exceptionally interesting because I myself is very expressive. My facial features do show a lot when I speak, or shows what I am feeling on the outside. Maybe this is a contribution that most women have. Since us women are more expressive with our emotions, maybe we have a higher capability of detecting facial expressions. Another example of visuospatial abilities amongst men is the act aiming; for instance throwing a basketball. I found this interesting because the NBA is dominated by men. The sport industry has made fortunes off men aiming an object, preferably something round into a