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COURSE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF NEW AVENUES FOR RESEARCH IN GENDER ISSUES

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Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)
VU
Lesson 45
COURSE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF NEW AVENUES FOR RESEARCH IN
GENDER ISSUES
Gender, psychopathology, and psychotherapy
Research has shown that there are no significance gender differences in mental illness as such
Any disorder may appear in anyone
However certain disorders are more common in men and certain others in women
Greater differences are found in terms of:
a) stress experienced as a result of dual roles and responsibilities
b) distress triggered by societal expectations about gender roles, especially about female gender role:
women trying to view self from the eyes of the society, and attempting to fit self into the mould
created by the traditional gender stereotypes and promotion of the same by the media
Course Review
About this course:
·  This course will have a multi disciplinary approach.
·  We will borrow and benefit from the knowledge and research evidence available in psychology as well
as other disciplines.
·  The primary focus of the course will be gender issues. However psychology of women will be touched
upon more than issues specific to the psychology of men alone.
Goals of a course in Gender Issues in Psychology:
1. To develop an understanding of the difference between gender and sex.
2. To introduce a new approach to understanding human behavior and mental processes.
3. To give a flavor of the scope and content of study in other popular disciplines of the day, like Gender
Studies or Women Studies.
4. To familiarize the students with the impact of socio-cultural and psychological factors on the gender roles
and the status of gender in a given society.
5. To bring about a healthier and positive change in the students' thinking through knowledge of divergent
ways of thinking.
6. To develop an understanding of gender relations in the society.
7. To create an awareness of abilities, capacities, psychological make up, and problems of women and
research methods employed to study these.
8. To familiarize students with the social and political background of gender differences and the gender issues.
While planning and designing this course, we had two choices to opt from:
1. Discuss fewer topics but in greater detail
2. Discuss a wide range of gender issues, but in lesser detail
We opted for the latter. However we have tried to provide you with as much research evidence as the allocated
time could accommodate.
After doing this course, you should know, or at least be familiar with, the following:
·  The meaning of gender
·  The difference between gender and sex
·  Basic terminology pertaining to gender issues
·  The historical background of the emergence of a growing interest in gender issues
You must also be having an understanding of the facts that:
Males and females are not much different in terms of personality, cognitive ability, intelligence, emotional
experiences, and motivation.
The differences that exist are a result of the socialization process that male and female children gender through.
The way men and women think feel and act is influenced by the gender identity they have developed.
How the different theories of personality explain and understand development of gender roles
128
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Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)
VU
Now you know what is meant by:
·  The socialization process and learning of gender roles
·  The biological differences between men and women
·  The relationship between gender and media, education, violence, harassment, work, and dual
responsibilities.
·  The health issues faced by women, and
·  Gender, psychopathology, and psychotherapy.
·Work issues;
power relationships between men and women
· Psychosocial factors in women empowerment
·Physical and mental health issues
·Discrimination and violence prevention
·Gender equality and equity
New Avenues For Gender Research
Psychologists interested in gender issues are carrying out research in a variety of aspects of the gender
phenomenon. In this section we will mention some of the areas in which research is being done, and needs to
be done further.
Working on women's perceptions:
We need to explore how women in our society perceive their ability, potential, status, and position.
Sources of empowerment need to be identified, encouraged, and cultivated.
Besides, we need to work on females who cause threats to the well being of other females.
Working on men's perceptions:
We also need to explore, and work upon, the attitudes of men towards women.
Young men and male children need to be worked upon.
Men need to be taught about the equal ability, and rights of women.
Research on the impact of media:
Media plays an important role in the development of gender roles and identities.
Media portrays women in a stereotypical fashion.
Research on the impact of media and ways of steering media into a realistic direction is very much needed.
Research on school curricula and textbooks:
Although some empirical research work is already available in the area of portrayal of female in textbooks,
more research input is required.
We need to investigate the impact of the prevalent system of education, as well as ways of improving the
content of textbooks with an aim to promote gender equality and women empowerment.
Exploring aspects of women empowerment:
Research is needed for exploring hindrances to women empowerment, and possible means and sources that
can facilitate women empowerment.
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Table of Contents:
  1. INTRODUCTION:Common misconception, Some questions to ponder
  2. FEMINIST MOVEMENT:Forms or Varieties of Feminism, First wave feminists
  3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:Functionalism, Psychoanalytic Psychology:
  4. Gender- related Research:Andocentricity, Overgeneralizing, Gender Blindness
  5. RESEARCH METHODS FOR GENDER ISSUES:The Procedure of Content Analysis
  6. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH:Limitations Of Quantitative Research
  7. BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENDERSHormones and Chromosomes
  8. BIOLOGICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENDERS: HORMONES AND NERVOUS SYSTEM
  9. THEORIES OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT:The Biological Approach,
  10. THEORIES OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT (2):The Behavioral Approach
  11. THEORIES OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT (3):The Cognitive Approach
  12. THEORIES OF GENDER DEVELOPMENT (3):Psychoanalytic Feminism
  13. OTHER APPROACHES:The Humanistic Approach, Cultural Influences
  14. GENDER TYPING AND STEREOTYPING:Development of sex-typing
  15. GENDER STEREOTYPES:Some commonly held Gender Stereotypes
  16. Developmental Stages of Gender Stereotypes:Psychoanalytic Approach, Hostile sexism
  17. CULTURAL INFLUENCE & GENDER ROLES:Arapesh, Mundugumor
  18. DEVELOPMENT OF GENDER ROLE IDENTIFICATION:Gender Role Preference
  19. GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERSONALITY:GENDER DIFFERENCES IN BULLYING
  20. GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PERSONALITY:GENDER, AFFILIATION AND FRIENDSHIP
  21. COGNITIVE DIFFERENCES:Gender Differences in I.Q, Gender and Verbal Ability
  22. GENDER AND MEDIA:Print Media and Portrayal of Genders
  23. GENDER AND EMOTION:The components of Emotions
  24. GENDER, EMOTION, & MOTIVATION:Affiliation, Love, Jealousy
  25. GENDER AND EDUCATION:Impact of Educational Deprivation
  26. GENDER, WORK AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT:Informal Work
  27. GENDER, WORK AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT (2):Glass-Ceiling Effect
  28. GENDER, WORK & RELATED ISSUES:Sexual Harassment at Workplace
  29. GENDER AND VIOLENCE:Domestic Violence, Patriarchal terrorism
  30. GENDER AND HEALTH:The Significance of Women’s Health
  31. GENDER, HEALTH, AND AGING:Genetic Protection, Behavioral Factors
  32. GENDER, HEALTH, AND AGING:Physiological /Biological Effects, Changes in Appearance
  33. GENDER DIFFERENCES IN AGING:Marriage and Loneliness, Empty Nest Syndrome
  34. GENDER AND HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIORS:Fitness and Exercise
  35. GENDER AND HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIOR:The Classic Alameda County Study
  36. GENDER AND HEART DISEASE:Angina Pectoris, The Risk factors in CHD
  37. GENDER AND CANCER:The Trend of Mortality Rates from Cancer
  38. GENDER AND HIV/AIDS:Symptoms of AIDS, Mode of Transmission
  39. PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FEMALES’ REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
  40. OBESITY AND WEIGHT CONTROL:Consequences of Obesity, Eating Disorders
  41. GENDER AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY:Gender, Stress and Coping
  42. GENDER AND PSYCHOPATHOLOGY:The Diagnostic Criteria
  43. GENDER AND PSYCHOTHERAPY:Traditional Versus Feminist Theory
  44. FEMINIST THERAPY:Changes targeted at societal level
  45. COURSE REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF NEW AVENUES FOR RESEARCH IN GENDER ISSUES