GENDER, EMOTION, & MOTIVATION:Affiliation, Love, Jealousy

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Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)

Lesson 24

GENDER, EMOTION, & MOTIVATION

Gender differences in different types of Emotion and Emotion-related Behavior

Gender and aggression

Empirical research has yielded that gender differences do exist in aggression, especially the expression of

anger/ aggression. We have discussed this issue in detail in the section on "Gender differences in Personality".

However few other findings will be discussed in this section too. Aggression is the behavioral manifestation of

the emotion of anger. Aggression can be direct, physical; and it can also be indirect, social, or relational. Usually

anger and aggression come together; however one may occur even the absence of the other. A person may be

angry, but may not indulge into an aggressive act i.e., the person does not take any action; on the other hand

the person may not be undergoing the emotion of anger, but may indulge into an aggressive act e.g., careful

planning to harm others in order to attain personal gains (Anderson, & Bushman, 2002).

As previously discussed in detail, in some situations males and females differ in their expression of emotion; in

many other they ore not much different. There are some gender differences in the type of aggression that

people adopt. Men use more of physical aggression, women social or relational aggression. Research has

revealed that there is a relationship between parenting styles and children's aggression scores. One study

showed that children, whose parents are less nurturant and acceptant tend to behave more aggressively at

school as compared to the children of nurturant and acceptant parents (Dubow, Huesmann, & Boxer, 2003;

Eron, 1987; Huesmann, Eron, Lefkowitz, & Walder 1984; Lefkowitz, Eron, Walder, & Huesmann, 1977).

Looking at child rearing practices in our culture, one can see that parents usually have a soften attitude towards

daughters than sons; the girls usually do not get physical punishment the way boys do; parents, especially

fathers avoid harsh, abusive, language with daughters, but not with sons. These practices may also be one

contributing variable in the gender differences in the style of aggression used by people.

A review analysis of research literature pertaining to experimental studies in psychology revealed that in case of

neutral and unprovoked situations, men tended to be more aggression than women. However, when women

felt provoked or justified they were as aggressive as men (Eagly, & Steffen, 1986; Frodiet et.al., 1977). Meta

analysis by Bettencourt & Miller (1996) yielded interesting findings on provocation. If a situation involved

provocation like the frustration when someone blocked their path through an intersection, than both men and

women showed similar responses. But in some form of provocation, gender differences were found. For

example if someone insulted their intelligence, then men readily show an aggressive response; women do not

respond aggressively as readily as men do (Bettencourt & Miller, 1996).

Affiliation, Love, Jealousy

People, both men and women do feel a need for affiliation do fall in love, and like to be loved. One aspect of

love is jealousy. Researchers have found gender similarities and differences in all there facets of human

emotion. Research shows that in love relationships, as well as marriages, trust is an element considered

important for both men and women. Trust involves three separate ways in which a person views his or her

partner (Rempel, Holmes, & Zanna, 1985). Trust implies:

· Predictability

· Dependability, and

· Faith

People want their partners to be predictable; one likes to be able to assess and estimate what the other person

will behave like i.e., the partner should be predictable. People want their partner to be someone who can be

depended upon; during a relationship people form ideas and assumptions about the personality attributes of

their partner and from those assumption they develop a feeling of how dependable the other person is. Faith is

another essential ingredient of a close relationship marked by attachment, love and happiness. When people

have faith they are hopeful of the positive consequences.

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