Psychology of Sex and Gender: Essential Study Notes

Posted on Mar 5, 2026 in Psychology and Sociology

PSYCH 3420: Memory Sheet – Cristen Carter

Chapter 1: Introducing Sex and Gender

• Concepts: Sex is biological (chromosomes, hormones, genitalia); Gender is socially constructed roles and behaviors; Gender Identity is an individual’s internal sense of self; Gender Expression is how individuals display their gender; Sexual Orientation is the pattern of attraction.
• Essay Tip: Explain that sex and gender are interrelated but distinct; include cultural examples to show variability.
• Research Example: Fausto-Sterling (2000) argues that sex exists on a continuum; societies enforce a binary for convenience and control.

Chapter 2: Studying Sex and Gender

• Concepts: Gender research relies on clear operational definitions, proper experimental design, and awareness of bias.
• Essay Tip: Discuss how biases (androcentrism, confirmation) have historically skewed gender research.
• Research Example: Hyde (2005) found that most psychological gender differences are small, supporting the Gender Similarities Hypothesis.

Unit II: Becoming Gendered

Chapter 3: Nature and Nurture

• Concepts: Biological factors (chromosomes, hormones, brain structures) interact with socialization to form gendered behavior.
• Essay Tip: Use examples like the role of prenatal hormones influencing toy preferences, then discuss cultural moderation.
• Research Example: Money & Ehrhardt’s studies suggested early gender assignment impacts identity, but Diamond & Sigmundson showed reassigned children often reverted to their biological sex identity.

Chapter 4: Gender Development

• Concepts: Children develop gender understanding through Social Learning, Cognitive-Developmental Theory, and Gender Schema Theory.
• Essay Tip: Compare theories; for example, Bandura emphasizes modeling, Kohlberg emphasizes cognitive understanding, and Bem emphasizes schema organization.
• Research Example: Martin & Halverson (1981) found children remember gender-consistent information better, supporting schema theory.

Unit III: Stereotypes, Discrimination & Power

Chapter 5: Gender Stereotypes

• Concepts: Agentic traits (dominance, assertiveness) are associated with men; communal traits (nurturing, cooperation) with women.
• Essay Tip: Discuss the origin of stereotypes from social roles and media; include the impact on hiring, leadership, and self-perception.
• Research Example: Heilman (2001) demonstrated that women are penalized in male-typed jobs due to perceived lack of fit.

Chapter 6: Power, Sexism & Discrimination

• Concepts: Hostile sexism is overtly negative; benevolent sexism is superficially positive but restrictive. Power structures enforce inequality.
• Essay Tip: Connect sexism types to real-world examples (e.g., workplace policies, media representation).
• Research Example: Glick & Fiske (1996) outlined benevolent and hostile sexism; Ryan & Haslam (2005) illustrated the glass cliff phenomenon.

Unit IV: Cognition, Emotion & Communication

Chapter 7: Cognitive Abilities

• Concepts: Small sex differences exist in spatial vs. verbal abilities, but context (stereotype threat) greatly influences performance.
• Essay Tip: Explain that gender differences are not fixed; social expectations alter outcomes.
• Research Example: Spencer, Steele, & Quinn (1999) showed women underperform on math tests when stereotypes are made salient.

Chapter 8: Language, Communication & Emotion

• Concepts: Gender affects communication styles and emotional expression; cultural norms shape expectations.
• Essay Tip: Use examples of differences in conversational styles or emotional expression across cultures.
• Research Example: Tannen (1990) discusses conversational rituals and miscommunication between genders.

Unit V: Sexuality, Relationships & Work

Chapter 9: Sexuality & Orientation

• Concepts: Sexual orientation exists on a spectrum; influenced by both biological and social factors.
• Essay Tip: Include discussion of cultural norms and personal development; contrast biological and social influences.
• Research Example: Simon & Gagnon (1986) describe sexual scripts; Bailey & Pillard (1991) twin studies suggest genetic influence.

Chapter 10: Interpersonal Relationships

• Concepts: Gender shapes friendship, romantic relationships, and family dynamics; division of emotional labor and power dynamics are central.
• Essay Tip: Discuss both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ perspectives for inclusivity.
• Research Example: Hatfield & Rapson (1993) studied love styles and gender differences.

Chapter 11: Work & Home

• Concepts: The second shift; gendered expectations in caregiving and household labor; workplace inequality.
• Essay Tip: Integrate motherhood penalty/fatherhood bonus; connect policy and societal expectations.
• Research Example: Correll et al. (2007) showed parental status affects hiring and salary outcomes.

Unit VI: Health & Well-being

Chapter 12: Physical Health

• Concepts: Sex differences in disease prevalence, life expectancy; gender biases in healthcare.
• Essay Tip: Highlight implications of male-default research; include policy or intervention ideas.
• Research Example: Schiebinger (1999) on male-centric medical research.

Chapter 13: Psychological Health

• Concepts: Gendered patterns in depression, anxiety, coping; minority stress in LGBTQ+ populations.
• Essay Tip: Discuss socialization, stigma, and coping differences; cite mental health statistics.
• Research Example: Nolen-Hoeksema (2001) — rumination explains the gender depression gap; Meyer (2003) — minority stress model.

Chapter 14: Aggression & Violence

• Concepts: Gender differences in aggression; IPV types (situational vs. coercive).
• Essay Tip: Examine cultural norms, masculinity scripts, and structural contributors.
• Research Example: Johnson’s (1995) distinction in IPV; Walters et al. (2013) prevalence studies.

Unit VII: Summary & Reflection

Chapter 15: Gender Past, Present & Future

• Concepts: Historical changes in gender norms; contemporary debates (nonbinary recognition, policy reform, intersectionality).
• Essay Tip: Integrate historical and current trends; predict future directions.
• Research Example: Bosson & Vandello (2011) on cultural shifts in gender expectations.

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