01:830:333 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Role Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, Puberty

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: 01:830:333
• Professor: All

Document Summary

Freud and erikson argued that the physical characteristics of males and females influence their behavior: an individual"s genitals influence his or her gender behavior, and therefore, that anatomy is destiny. One of freud"s basic assumptions was that human behavior is directly related to reproductive processes. From this assumption arose his belief that gender and sexual behavior are essentially unlearned and instinctual. Erikson extended freud"s argument, claiming that the psychological differences between males and females stem from their anatomical differences. Puberty intensifies the sexual aspects of adolescents" gender attitudes and behavior: few attempts have been made to relate puberty"s sexual changes to gender behavior. Researchers have found that sexual behavior is related to hormonal changes during puberty, at least for boys. Gender: the sociocultural and physiological dimensions of being male or female. Gender role: a set of expectations that prescribes how females and males should think, act, and feel.