Connections to the Classroom

Gender psychology is highly relevant in the classroom because it can have a significant impact on how students learn and interact with one another. Here are some ways in which gender psychology is relevant in the classroom:

• Understanding Gender Differences: Teachers who are aware of gender differences in communication and behavior can adjust their teaching strategies to engage better and support all students.
• Addressing Gender Bias: Teachers can help eliminate gender bias by creating a classroom environment that is inclusive and respectful of all genders. This means avoiding gender stereotypes, using gender-neutral language, and providing equal opportunities for all students.
• Encouraging Gender Diversity: Teachers can help promote gender diversity by creating a safe space where students can express themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. This means celebrating the unique qualities of each student, regardless of gender identity.
• Supporting Gender Identity: Teachers can play a crucial role in supporting students who may be questioning or exploring their gender identity. This means providing a safe and supportive environment, using gender-affirming language, and respecting each student's preferred name and pronouns. Overall, gender psychology is an essential aspect of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that supports the diverse needs of all students.

Vocabulary

• Gender Psychology- A subfield of psychology that explores the relationship between gender and human behavior
• Gender Identity- an individual’s sense of being male, female, or a combination of both
• Nature vs Nurture- innate biological factors vs upbringing or life experience
• Gender Essentialism- the belief that gender is an inherent and fixed characteristic
• Feminism- a social, political, and cultural movement that advocates for equal rights and opportunities for all genders
• Self Concept- how someone thinks about, evaluates, or perceives themselves

Warnings

While gender psychology can be a valuable tool for understanding and addressing the needs of students, there are also some potential warnings to be aware of. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Politics: Gender is a very sensitive topic in politics today. Teachers and people in general mustn’t get too caught up in politics surrounding gender psychology. Focus on the needs of the individuals.
• Avoiding Gender Stereotypes: One of the risks of gender psychology is that it can perpetuate stereotypes about gender. It's important to recognize that not all students will conform to traditional gender norms and to avoid making assumptions based on gender.
• Being Inclusive of All Gender Identities: Gender psychology can sometimes overlook the experiences of non-binary and gender non-conforming students. It's important to ensure that all students feel seen and supported, regardless of their gender identity.
• Avoiding Overgeneralizations: While there may be some general differences between genders, it's important to avoid overgeneralizing and treating all students of a particular gender as if they are the same. It's important to recognize that there is significant diversity within each gender.
• Acknowledging Intersectionality: Gender is just one aspect of a person's identity, and it intersects with other factors such as race, class, and sexuality. It's important to recognize and address these intersections to create a truly inclusive and equitable learning environment. By being aware of these potential risks and taking steps to address them, teachers can use gender psychology as a tool to support and empower all students.

Teacher Connections

In a General Psychology class, Dr. Jon Skalski from BYU-Idaho taught about the psychological differences between men and women. He taught that the research shows that women tend to lean towards professions like teaching and nursing because overall they’re more attracted to social settings and helping people. On the other hand, men tend to lean more towards jobs like engineering and business because overall they just like to do their work and don’t mind working alone. Some people don’t fit the overall consensus, but there are research-based differences between men and women and it’s harmful to force people into a field that doesn’t fulfill their needs just to push a political agenda.

Key Contributors

Gender psychology is a broad and interdisciplinary field that has been shaped by many contributors over the years. Here are some of the main contributors to gender psychology:

• Sandra Bem: Sandra Bem was a pioneering feminist psychologist who developed the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), which measures masculine and feminine traits in individuals. Her work challenged the traditional gender binary and helped pave the way for more nuanced understandings of gender identity.
• Carol Gilligan: Carol Gilligan is a psychologist who is best known for her work on gender differences in moral development. She argued that traditional models of moral development were based on a masculine perspective and that women's moral reasoning was more focused on caring and relationships.
• Nancy Chodorow: Nancy Chodorow is a psychoanalyst and feminist theorist who has written extensively on the psychology of gender. Her work has focused on how early childhood experiences shape gender identity and the socialization of gender roles.
• Judith Butler: Judith Butler is a philosopher and gender theorist who has written extensively on the social and cultural construction of gender. Her work has challenged traditional notions of gender as a fixed, biological category and argued that gender is a performative act.
• Anne Fausto-Sterling: Anne Fausto-Sterling is a biologist and gender theorist who has written extensively on the biological basis of gender. Her work has challenged the idea that there are only two biological sexes and argued for a more fluid and diverse understanding of gender.

Summary

Gender psychology is an interdisciplinary field that examines how gender identity, roles, and expectations impact human behavior and development. It explores the biological, social, and cultural factors that shape gender identity and how individuals perceive and interact with gender. This field also examines how gender influences various aspects of life, including education, relationships, work, and health. Gender psychology is concerned with understanding gender diversity and challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes. It seeks to promote equity and inclusivity by creating a better understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of gender identity.