This book represents a conscious attempt to truly integrate social and developmental psychological approaches to gender. Leading researchers from both areas contribute to an understanding that will interest students and scholars alike.

Numerous publications have addressed gender issues from a social or a developmental psychological perspective. This volume breaks new ground in advancing a genuine synthesis of theory and research from these two disciplines. Building on the premise that a full understanding of the multifaceted nature of gender can be achieved only through a wider focus on processes of development and social influence, the contributors examine theoretical approaches to gender development and socialization, gender categorization and interpersonal behavior, and group-level and cultural forces that affect gender socialization and behavior. The book will be of interest to students and professionals in social psychology, developmental psychology, gender studies, sociology, anthropology, and educational psychology.

This text offers a unique developmental focus on gender. Gender development is examined from infancy through adolescence, integrating biological, socialization, and cognitive perspectives. The book’s current empirical focus is complemented by a lively and readable style that includes anecdotes about children’s everyday experiences. The book’s accessibility is further enhanced with the use of bold face to highlight key terms when first introduced along with a complete glossary of these terms. All three of the authors are respected researchers in divergent areas of children’s gender role development and each of them teaches a course on the topic. The book’s primary focus is on gender role behaviors – how they develop and the roles biological and experiential factors play in their development. The first section of the text introduces the field and outlines its history. Part 2 focuses on the differences between the sexes, including the biology of sex and the latest research on behavioral sex differences, including motor and cognitive behaviors and personality and social behaviors. Contemporary theoretical perspectives on gender development – biological, social and environmental, and cognitive approaches – are explored in Part 3 along with the research supporting these models. The social agents of gender development, including children themselves, family, peers, the media, and schools are addressed in the final part. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, this is the perfect text for those who have been searching for an advanced undergraduate and/or graduate book for courses in gender development, the psychology of sex roles and/or gender and/or women or men, taught in departments of psychology, human development, and educational psychology. Although chapters have been designed to be read sequentially, a full author citation is included the first time a reference is used within an individual chapter rather than only the first time it is used in the book, making it easy to assign chapters in a variety of orders. This referencing system will also appeal to scholars interested in using the book as a resource to review a particular content area.

Machine generated contents note: 1. Understanding Gender -- 2. Dominance and Interdependence Produce Ambivalence -- 3. Development of Gender Relations -- 4. Gender Stereotypes -- 5. Maintaining Gender Stereotypes and Hierarchy -- 6. Gender at Work -- 7. Female Bodies and Beauty -- 8. Love and Romance -- 9. Sex -- 10. Masculinity -- 11. Violence, Dominance, and Control -- 12. Progress, Pitfalls, and Remedies -- References -- Author Index -- Subject Index -- .

Includes papers that reflect a range of theoretical approaches to the social psychology of the workplace. This volume explains the cognitive processes through which gender influences the way we perceive, interpret, and respond to our social world. It emphasizes the importance of understanding gender as a multilevel structure.

Gender encompasses biological sex but extends beyond it to the socially prescribed roles deemed appropriate for each sex by the culture in which we live. The gender roles we each carry out are highly individualistic, built on our biological and physical traits, appearance and personality, life experiences such as childhood, career and education, and history of sexual and romantic interactions. Each element influences perceptions and expectations. Gender-related experiences influence and shape the ways we think about others and ourselves including self-image, behaviour, mood, social advancement and coping strategies. This book brings together leading international research devoted to this subject.

Children are born into a world infused with gendered information. An understanding of what it is to be a boy or girl can be critical in forming social relationships, social identities, and learning how to think and behave. Gender and Development is an important new volume that charts how children practice these gendered identities at different ages and in different social contexts Taking a socio-cognitive approach, and integrating both theoretical and applied perspectives, the book looks at a range of contexts in which gender affects development and socialisation, from the child’s place in the family unit and their interaction with parents and siblings, to the influence of communication with peers over the internet. Throughout the chapters an age-old issue is addressed through a contemporary, empirically focused perspective – namely the nature and extent of equality between the genders, and how difficult it is for attitudes, perceptions and stereotypes to change. Key social issues are covered, including pro-social behaviour, career choice and academic competencies. Gender and Development brings together some of the latest research in this important and enduring field of study. It is a timely and invaluable collection, and will be essential reading for all students and research in developmental psychology, social psychology and gender studies.