Vive La Difference? Genetic Explanations for Perceived Gender Differences in Nurturance

Cole, Elizabeth R.; Jayaratne, Toby Epstein; Cecchi, Laura A.; Feldbaum, Merle; Petty, Elizabeth M.

doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9248-7

Cited by 24 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…A similar argument might be made about gender differences, where most respondents incorrectly agreed with a statement on the greater genetic similarity between two women than a man and a woman. Those who believe that behavioral aspects of gender are genetic, for example, may be more inclined to attribute the lack of women in leadership positions to inherent differences rather than social barriers [47]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understandings of Basic Genetics in the United States: Results from a National Survey of Black and White Men and Women

Christensen¹,

Jayaratne²,

Roberts³

et al. 2010

Public Health Genomics

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Aim: This study examined understandings of basic genetic concepts among Americans. Method: In a national telephone survey of 1,200 Americans with equal representation among Black and White men and women, subjects responded to 8 items developed by a multidisciplinary team of experts that assessed understanding of basic concepts in multiple domains, including inheritance, genetics and race, and genetics and behavior. Results: Over 70% of subjects responded correctly on items about the genetic similarity of identical twins and siblings. Less than half of subjects responded correctly on all other items. Understanding of genetics was lowest in three areas: types/locations of genes in the body (29% correct), a genetic basis for race (25% correct), and the influence of single genes on behaviors (24% correct). Logistic regression models controlling for age and education showed some differences by race and gender on specific items but also showed that understandings are generally similar across these groups. Conclusion: Misunderstandings about genetics are common among Black and White American men and women. Responses appear to reflect personal experiences, group values and interests. These findings emphasize the need for initiatives to improve the public’s genetic literacy as well as a need for further investigation in this domain.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understandings of Basic Genetics in the United States: Results from a National Survey of Black and White Men and Women

Christensen¹,

Jayaratne²,

Roberts³

et al. 2010

Public Health Genomics

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show abstract

“…The boundary between typing and stereotyping or between stereotyping and stigmatizing is crossed sooner when differences are genetically explained, and sex differences in sexuality are, more so than other sex differences, susceptible for genetic explanations (cf. Cole, Epstein Jayaratne, Cecchi, Feldbaum, & Petty, 2007). Genetic explanations result in increased efforts to uncover similarities among group members and hence increase stereotyping.…”

Section: Drawbacks Of Thinking Differencementioning

confidence: 99%

Doing Gender in Sex and Sex Research

Vanwesenbeeck

2009

Arch Sex Behav

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Gender is central to sexuality, and vice versa, but there are a number of difficulties with the treatment of gender in sex research. Apparently, it is hard to find a balance between two conflicting needs. First, obviously, it is necessary to make distinctions between women and men, for political as well as research-technical and theoretical reasons. A second requirement, at odds with the first one, is the necessity to understand gender and its relation to sexuality and the body as much more complex than simplistically referring to two sets of individuals. This is all the more necessary when one realizes the possible drawbacks of exaggerating the differences between the sexes (in particular when they are biologically explained), because of stereotyping, stigmatizing, and expectancy confirmatory processes. This essay identifies and discusses 10 difficulties in the treatment of gender in sex research, reflects on their origins, and reviews theory and evidence with the aim to (1) consider the relative strength of gender/sex as an explanatory variable compared to other factors and processes explaining differences between men and women on a number of sexual aspects, (2) inform an understanding of gender and its relation to sexuality as an ongoing, open-ended, multi-determined, situated, interactional process, with the body as a third player, and (3) argue in favor of a nuanced, well-balanced treatment of gender in sex research.

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“…Other articles considered effects on fertility and pregnancy of social factors, such as employment opportunities and workplace perceptions (Booth and Duvall 1981;Cunningham and Macan 2007;Falbo et al 1978;Masser et al 2007). Another pair of articles addressed laypersons' knowledge of and reactions to genetic explanations of gendered characteristics (Cole et al 2007;Condit et al 2003). Rogers and Walsh (1982); DeBold and Luria (1983); Rogers (1983); Rodgers et al (1998) Baruch (1975; Frodi et al (1984); Collins (1985); Butcher (1989) Why So Little Evidence for Consideration of the Role of Biology?…”

Section: Coverage Of Social Influences On Gendered Biological Processesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Role for Biology in Gender-Related Behavior

2011

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We take the opportunity of the 35th anniversary of Sex Roles to examine the journal and the field of gender research from a biological perspective. We discuss the limited coverage of biological perspectives in the pages of the journal and likely reasons for it in light of historical perspectives on the role of biology in gendered psychological processes and behaviors, review briefly contemporary research on biological (especially hormonal) influences on gender-related behavior, advocate for greater attention to biological perspectives, and suggest ways to integrate biological and socialization approaches into questions of interest to gender researchers.In honor of the journal's 35th anniversary, the editors of Sex Roles are publishing a special series of articles (Frieze and Dittrich 2010). In our paper in this series, we consider the impact of biological factors on gender-related behavior and psychological processes. We are primarily concerned with characteristics that differ in level or form between boys or men and girls or women, most of which also show variations within each gender; we do not address social and political factors that disproportionately affect women's lives (such as sexual harassment or rape). Our domain of focus is usually referred to as gender differences, gender typing, gender-related behavior, or gendered characteristics (e.g., Ruble et al. 2006). We use this paper to consider historical and contemporary work on the biology of sex and gender, examine how these issues have been represented in Sex Roles, speculate about why biological research has not played a larger role than it has, and, finally, suggest some changes to the journal's mission.Why should gender researchers consider the possibility that genes and physiology (such as hormones and brain function) are important for behavior? Sex Roles has consistently been focused on social processes, stereotyping, and experiences of particular relevance to women's lives; this is the stated mission of the journal. But, increasingly, behavior of all types has been shown to be influenced by genes and physiology and mediated by the brain. A complete picture of gender-related behavior necessitates a consideration of biology.

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Vive La Difference? Genetic Explanations for Perceived Gender Differences in Nurturance

Cited by 24 publications

References 44 publications

Understandings of Basic Genetics in the United States: Results from a National Survey of Black and White Men and Women

Understandings of Basic Genetics in the United States: Results from a National Survey of Black and White Men and Women

Doing Gender in Sex and Sex Research

A Role for Biology in Gender-Related Behavior

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