Week 7 Socioemotional Processes And Development Gender

Week 7 Socioemotional Processes And Development Gender And

Week 7 Socioemotional Processes and Development: Gender and Sexuality Moral Development, Values, and Religion Learning Resources -Chapters 12 & Chapter 13 -Video: Chapter 12 (Gender Identity Development) -Video: Chapter 12 (Sex Differences) Threaded Discussions Thread 1: Gender Role Development: Post an explanation of the role of biological and environmental factors, focusing particularly on sociocultural factors that influence gender role development. Post your answers to this Discussion by Day 3 of this week. Respond to at least one peer posting by Day 5 of this week. AND Thread 2: Moral Reasoning : Define moral reasoning in your own words . Compare moral reasoning across genders. Explain cultural differences in the moral reasoning in two cultures, with at least one being somewhere other than North America.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The psychological development of gender and morality during adolescence is a complex interplay of biological, environmental, sociocultural, and personal factors. Understanding these processes requires examining both how individuals develop gender identities and roles, and how they formulate moral reasoning. This paper explores the influence of biological and environmental factors on gender role development, focusing especially on sociocultural influences, and then assesses moral reasoning across different genders and cultures.

Gender Role Development: Biological and Environmental Factors

Gender role development refers to the process through which individuals learn and internalize societal expectations for behavior associated with their biological sex. Biological influences consist of genetics, hormonal differences, and neurological development, which are intrinsic to the development of masculine and feminine traits (Berenbaum & Bailey, 2003). For example, prenatal exposure to hormones such as testosterone has been linked to higher levels of male-typical behaviors (Knickmeyer et al., 2009). Moreover, brain structures involved in emotion regulation and social cognition show sex-related differences, which can influence gendered behaviors (Joel et al., 2015).

Environmental factors include family, peers, media, and cultural norms that convey expectations about gender roles. These external influences shape individuals' perceptions of what behaviors, interests, and roles are appropriate for their gender. For instance, parents often unconsciously encourage sons to be assertive and daughters to be nurturing, which reinforces gender stereotypes (Leaper & Friedman, 2007). Peer interactions further solidify gender norms, as children tend to associate more with individuals of the same gender, reinforcing gender-typed behaviors (Eccles et al., 2000). Media representations also play a significant role, as stereotypical portrayals of genders influence children’s attitudes and expectations (Huston et al., 2001).

Sociocultural factors are crucial in shaping gender development across societies. Cultures vary widely in their expectations and norms related to gender. For example, patriarchal societies tend to emphasize male dominance and female submissiveness, which molds gender roles accordingly (Inglehart & Norris, 2003). Conversely, more egalitarian cultures promote gender equality, allowing for broader roles and expressions for both genders (World Economic Forum, 2020). These sociocultural influences influence not only behaviors but also self-perceptions and identity formation.

Moral Reasoning: Definitions and Cross-Gender Comparisons

Moral reasoning refers to the cognitive processes by which individuals determine what is right or wrong, just or unjust, and make judgments based on ethical principles (Kohlberg, 1984). It involves considerations of justice, rights, fairness, and care, which develop through social interaction and cognitive maturation.

Research indicates there are gender differences in moral reasoning. Carol Gilligan (1982) argued that males tend to approach morality from a justice perspective emphasizing rules and fairness, while females tend to adopt a care perspective emphasizing relationships and responsibilities. Although these patterns are not absolute, they suggest that gender socialization influences moral pathways.

Cultural Variations in Moral Reasoning

Cultural context significantly shapes moral reasoning. In Western individualistic societies like the United States and Canada, moral reasoning often emphasizes individual rights, justice, and fairness (Shweder et al., 1997). For example, American adolescents typically prioritize rights-based reasoning when faced with moral dilemmas. Conversely, in collectivist cultures such as Japan or India, moral reasoning may focus more on social harmony, familial roles, and community responsibilities (Nisbett et al., 2001). In Japan, for instance, moral judgments often stress duty and the importance of maintaining social harmony through conformity and respect for hierarchy.

In a study comparing American and Indian adolescents, the latter emphasized relational responsibilities and social cohesion over individual rights, reflecting the influence of cultural values rooted in collectivism (Heine et al., 2008). These differences highlight the importance of understanding moral reasoning within cultural contexts, as morality is deeply embedded in societal norms and expectations.

Conclusion

The development of gender roles and moral reasoning is shaped by a nuanced interaction of biological predispositions, environmental influences, and cultural norms. Biological factors provide a foundation for gender tendencies, but sociocultural factors heavily influence how these tendencies are expressed and internalized. Similarly, moral reasoning varies across genders and cultures, reflecting diverse societal values and practices. Recognizing these differences is essential for fostering understanding and promoting equality across gender and cultural boundaries, ultimately enriching psychological and social development.

References

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  • Eccles, J. S., Barber, B. L., Jozefowicz, D. M., & Malinner, A. (2000). Gender by age in adolescent achievement and participation in extracurricular activities. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 10(2), 137–156.
  • Gilligan, C. (1982). In a different voice: Psychological theory and women’s development. Harvard University Press.
  • Heine, S. J., Kitayama, S., & Takata, T. (2008). Cultural variation in moral reasoning. In Handbook of Moral Development (pp. 273-298). Psychology Press.
  • Huston, A. C., Caughy, M., & Ory, M. G. (2001). Media and children’s development. In Handbook of child psychology (pp. 833-878). Wiley.
  • Inglehart, R., & Norris, P. (2003). Rising tide: Gender equality and cultural change around the world. Cambridge University Press.
  • Joel, D., Berman, Z., Tavor, I., Wexler, N., Gaber, Z., Stein, Y., & Assaf, Y. (2015). Sex beyond the XX and XY: The human brain mosaic. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(50), 15468-15473.
  • Knickmeyer, R. C., Baron-Cohen, S., & Woolley, J. (2009). Prenatal hormone exposure and biological sex differences in human behavior and identity. Behavioral Brain Research, 199(2), 37-51.
  • Kohlberg, L. (1984). Essays on moral development: Vol. I. The philosophy of moral development. Harper & Row.
  • Leaper, C., & Friedman, C. K. (2007). The socialization of gender. In Handbook of child psychology (pp. 657-701). Wiley.
  • Nisbett, R. E., Peng, K., Choi, I., & Norenzayan, A. (2001). Culture and systems of thought: Holistic versus analytic cognition. Psychological Review, 108(2), 291–310.
  • Shweder, R. A., Much, N. C., Mahapatra, M., & Park, L. (1997). The "big three" of morality (autonomy, community, divinity), and the "big three" cultures. In A. J. G., & Schenk, K. M. (Eds.), Morality and moral development: A guide to moral theories (pp. 119–186). Routledge.
  • World Economic Forum. (2020). Global Gender Gap Report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/reports/gender-gap-2020-report

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