Main page Issue Paper Psychology of Women

Learning Objectives

Introduction 

  1. Define feminism and distinguish among the 3 types of feminism.
  2. Define gender.  Distinguish it from sex.
  3. Discuss the similarities and difference approaches to studying gender.
  4. Describe 5 ways bias and creep into psychological research on gender issues.

Stereotypes

  1. Discuss the typical content of gender stereotypes.
  2. Discuss the origins of stereotypes.
  3. Discuss the origins of the stereotype content.
  4. Discuss gender bias in language.

Development

  1. Describe the prenatal sequence of sex development including the role of hormones.
  2. Describe the Social Learning model of gender development.
  3. Describe the Cognitive Developmental model of gender development.
  4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the gender development models.
  5. Describe the roles of parents, peers, schools and the media in shaping gender development.

Adolescence

  1. Describe the psychological impact of menstruation.
  2. Discuss the research findings with regard to PMS.
  3. Discuss the importance of body image in adolescence.
  4. Describe what is meant by self-esteem.
  5. Discuss the origins of self-esteem, and the extent to which adolescent men and women differ.
  6. Describe the factors that influence educational and career planning in adolescence. 
  7. Discuss the importance of interpersonal relationships in adolescence.

Cognitive Differences

  1. Discuss the nature and degree of gender differences in: verbal skills; math skills; and, spatial abilities.
  2. Discuss social and biological explanations for theses differences.
  3. Define the need for achievement.
  4. What influences do most people weigh as they pursue their goals ( including fear of success).
  5. Describe Kohlberg's stages of moral development.  
  6. Discuss whether gender differences exist in moral reasoning.

Communication

  1. State the 6 gender differences in spoken language.
  2. Explain why these differences exist.
  3. Discuss the effect of familiarity on gender differences in language.
  4. Describe gender differences in non-verbal communication.
  5. Describe how men's and women's friendship patterns tend to be different and the same.
  6. Discuss the reasons most people prefer to be comforted by a woman.

Personality

  1. Describe the "Big 5" personality traits, including gender differences for each.
  2. Describe what is meant by aggression.
  3. Discuss the gender differences associated with each type of aggression.
  4. Discuss the qualities associated with dominance and how these are related to gender typical behavior.
  5. Discuss gender differences in leadership.
  6. Discuss gender differences in empathy.
  7. Discuss gender differences in conformity.
  8. Discuss gender differences in the expression of emotion.
  9. Discuss gender differences in the decoding of emotion.
  10. Discuss the origins of gender differences in the expression  and decoding of emotion.

Work

  1. Describe discrimination in the workplace in salary, hiring, and promotion.
  2. Describe employment in traditionally female and male occupations.
  3. Discuss the factors important in occupational choice.
  4. Discuss issues related to coordinating work and personal life.

Dating and Marriage

  1. Discuss two models of mate selection.
  2. Describe the components of love.
  3. Describe 3 ways to distribute power in a marriage.
  4. Describe the factors that make marriage satisfying.
  5. Describe Gottman's styles of conflict resolution.
  6. Describe the 4 behaviors that protect marriage and 4 that are toxic to marriage.
  7. Discuss the leading causes of divorce, and the consequences of divorce.

Sexuality

  1. Describe the sexual response cycle (excitement, plateau, and orgasm) for men and women.
  2. Discuss the ways in which men and women are alike and different in regards to sexuality.
  3. Describe the development of sexuality from adolescence through old age.
  4. Discuss the reasons women who don't want children often don't use birth control.
  5. Discuss the reasons teenage girls sometimes want children, and the consequences of that choice.
  6. Discuss the reasons so many women say "no" or "maybe" when they mean "yes".

Motherhood

  1. Discuss the motherhood mandate.
  2. Discuss the risks to women of childbearing.
  3. Describe the evidence for maternal ambivalence.
  4. Describe the qualities of the environment that promote positive maternal behavior.
  5. Discuss the typical experience of most women during pregnancy and the factors associated with it as a satisfying experience.
  6. Discuss the risks for and possible causes of post-partum depression.
  7. Discuss the correlates of satisfaction with mothering.

Women's Health

  1. Discuss what is meant by male fragility with regard to health.
  2. Describe the 4 major health risks to women.
  3. Discuss the relationship between weight and health for women.
  4. Compare the incidence and mortality rates of breast and lung cancer.
  5. Discuss the treatments and the pros and cons of each for breast cancer.
  6. What factors are associated with a positive adjustment to menstruation?
  7. Describe the evidence and argument presented by Carol Tavris with regard to PMS.
  8. Discuss the range of reactions to abortion by women who have had them.  what factors are associated with the most negative reactions?
  9. Describe the physical changes associated with menopause.  What are the psychological reactions?  What does it mean that the psychological reactions are mediated by culture?

Mental Health

  1. Discuss the symptoms and causative factors of the 2 depressive disorders that afflict women more than men.
  2. Why are women more susceptible to depression than men?
  3. Distinguish between anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
  4. Discuss the risk factors that contribute to getting anorexia.
  5. Discuss the prognosis and treatment options for anorexia.
  6. Discuss the elements of successful talking therapies and the unique qualities of feminist therapy.

  Violence

  1. Define rape. Discuss its prevalence and the reasons it is often unreported.
  2. Discuss the myths about rape that contribute to its prevalence and its under-reporting.
  3. Discuss the best strategies for avoiding being raped.
  4. Describe the typical qualities of men who rape.
  5. Describe the prevalence of child sexual abuse and the most typical abusers.
  6. Describe the characteristics of abusers and the family dynamics that make abuse likely.
  7. Describe the prevalence of domestic battery.
  8. Discuss the attributes typical of abusers and victims.
  9. Describe some reasons why women stay in abusive relationships.