Verified Document

Sociology - Gender & Sexuality Thesis

More specifically, whereas certain components of human behavior are hard wired, many other components are learned from exposure to others in society. According to this view, the individual learns by watching others, starting in early childhood. By adulthood, those expectations transmitted through social learning are completely internalized by the individual and not perceived as matters that one learns from others. By imitating adult role models and emulating behaviors expected of males and females in society, the developing individual learns what it means to be a male or female in that particular society. For example, if male role models and authority figures model aggressive or belligerent mannerisms in self-expression, male children absorb their exposure to these displays of masculinity and eventually come to identify with and exhibit those characteristics themselves. Similarly, if female role models and authority figures model passive or accommodating behaviors, female children come to identify with and exhibit those behaviors, instead.

In general, social learning applies to the entire spectrum of human behavior. In particular, with respect to sexuality, social learning in many societies includes the expectation that males will pursue sexual activity indiscriminately or "recreationally" whereas females learn that they are expected to be much more discriminating about sexuality and not to pursue sex for recreational purposes, but only in connection with long-term relationships.

4. List one cognitive differences between men and women that seems most likely due to biological factors and one cognitive difference that seems most likely due to environmental...

According to psychologists, females demonstrate a much better ability to interpret facial expressions than males. This is thought to be one example of how biological evolution influences elements of human behavior. Evolutionary theorists believe that natural selection favored human females who were better able to understand the needs of their infants, especially before they could communicate directly. Therefore, females evolved better awareness of what facial expressions mean.
Likewise, females tend to focus more on verbal communication and social bonding whereas males tend to be more oriented to group activities that emphasize task- specific cooperation rather than verbal relationships. These differences are also thought to be functions of biological evolution originating in the need for females to promote social unity among families and extended family groups; males, on the other hand, evolved tendencies consistent with hunting and fighting off enemies of the society collectively. Some cognitive differences normally observed between males and females may be more related to environmental influences than to biology. For example, males are considered to have better mathematics skills and technical abilities than females. As likely as not, much of the difference in their respective abilities in specific academic areas is a function of males being encouraged to pursue technical studies whereas as females are more often encouraged to pursue other courses of studies. According to some of the most recent research, many of the gender-related attributes thought to be functions of biology are simply the result of environmental influence and social conditioning.

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Sociology Chapter Review This Report
Words: 1234 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

This is not hubris or the idea that the author of this response is any "better" than that of Giddens. However, sociology texts and summaries seem to leave out the idea that some actions, thought patterns and mindsets that are cultural and/or societal in nature make little to no logical or basic sense in the grand scheme of things. However, perhaps a covering of that dynamic would be too

Sociology According to Giddens 2010
Words: 1202 Length: 4 Document Type: Article Critique

What ethical dilemmas do sociologists face? One dilemma that Sociologists deal with is competence. Many of them do strive to uphold the highest levels of capability in their work. A lot of them try to recognize the limits of their knowledge; and they assume merely those responsibilities for which they are competent by training, education, or knowledge. Sociologists recognize the necessity for continuing education so as to remain professionally competent; and

Gender Role Analysis How Gender Is Shaped
Words: 2342 Length: 7 Document Type: Essay

Gender Role Analysis How Gender is Shaped by Education How Gender is Shaped by Public Policy How Gender is Shaped in the Workplace This report discusses the role played by social institutions such as schools, workplaces and policy making institutions in the shaping of gender roles and norms in society. These institutions hold control over desired resources such as information, wealth and social progress. They control the distribution of these resources by making it

Gender Identity the Factors That Mediate and
Words: 1113 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Gender Identity The factors that mediate and account for gender identity and sex differentiation include those attributed to nature, such as hormones and genes, and those attributed to nurture, such as environment. Research has demonstrated that hormones and genetics play an integral role in gender identity and associated behaviors (Wilson, 1999; Hines, 2006; Hines (2008). What are these hormones and how exactly have they been determined to influence gender identity? The

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I Didn't Know
Words: 857 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Lesson Plan Amp; Reflection I didn't know what state you are in so was unable to do state/district standards! Lesson Plan Age/Grade Range; Developmental Level(s): 7-8/2nd Grade; Below grade level Anticipated Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes Lesson Foundations Pre-assessment (including cognitive and noncognitive measures): All students are reading below grade level (5-7 months) as measured by standardized assessments and teacher observation Curricular Focus, Theme, or Subject Area: Reading: Fluency, word recognition, and comprehension State/District Standards: Learning Objectives: Students will develop

Branding New Service Dominant Logic
Words: 12522 Length: 50 Document Type: Dissertation

Branding in Service Markets Amp Aim And Objectives Themes for AMP Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Branding Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Categories and Themes Branding Theory Evolution S-D Logic and Service Markets Branding Challenges in Service Markets Considerations for Effective Service Branding Branding Concept Characteristics Characteristics Composing Branding Concept Sampling of Studies Reviewed Evolution of Branding Theory Evolution of Marketing Service-Brand-Relationship-Value Triangle Brand Identity, Position & Image Just as marketing increasingly influences most aspects of the consumer's lives, brands

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now