This is a comprehensive introduction to sex and gender theories, research, and issues, focusing on social psychological and feminist perspectives. The book examines the similarities and differences between women and men, discusses where that knowledge comes from, and explains how that knowledge may itself be shaped and limited by cultural perceptions. This new edition has been thoroughly revised with up-to-date research citations for all chapters and more current examples.
Three themes. The text is organized into three primary themes for a better understanding of sex and gender. Part I provides background to stereotypes, theories, and research. Part II is focused on biological and psychological dimensions. Part III examines sex and gender in social relationships.
Interdisciplinary framework. The text is organized as an interdisciplinary and integrated framework, drawing upon all the social and behavioral science research and theories, as well as biology and medical science.
Diversity and culture. This book stresses the many ways ethnic and cultural differences influence both the sexual and gender identities and statuses of males and females.
Comprehensive review of research. Praised by reviewers, the coverage of issues of bias and objectivity in theory and research is especially strong (Chapters 2 and 3). The author makes clear her own feminist position, but then treats other points of view with objectivity and sensitivity.
Constructive view. The text focuses on three related issues: That the behavior of males and females is socially constructed; that research is a way to challenge inaccurate stereotypes about sex and gender; and that research inherently does contain bias.
Chapter-opening vignettes. Each chapter opens with a vignette that discusses historical issues in gender research, thus placing the concepts of each chapter into context.
Changes in organization.
Key terms are bolded throughout the text and are listed at the end of each chapter. A glossary of terms has also been added to the end of the book for easy reference.
The media section in Chapter 10 has been expanded.
The question of why there are gender differences now comes earlier in Chapter 7, and the issue of sexual orientation now appears later in the chapter.
New information.
Chapter 1 has been expanded to include a discussion on the effects of stereotyping and prejudice and coverage of hostile & benevolent sexism.
Chapter 3 now includes new information on qualitative methods, such as discourse analysis, and a brief discussion of the importance of feeding research results back to respondents.
Chapter 5 contains new material on transgender issues.
New information on the perception of women leaders has been added to Chapter 12
Chapter 14 has been expanded to include a new section on perceptions of affirmative action and new information on women and men in prison.
Statistics and references have been updated wherever possible.
New research. Examples include:
Claude Steele's research on stereotype threat (Chapter 1).
Barbara Frederickson's research on body shame and how it interferes with women's achievement (Chapter 1).
Janet Swim's research on how women experience sexist events (Chapter 1)
Eleanor Maccoby's research showing the importance of the context in the observation of gender differences has been given expanded treatment (Chapter 4).
Carol Dweck's research on the effects of teachers' responses to high-achieving girls (Chapter 10).
Jan Yoder's research on the difficulty of woman leaders to be perceived as legitimate (Chapter 12).
