Elements of Gender Differences

Sex is biological (male/female), while gender is social (masculine/feminine roles and expectations).​ From early childhood, children observe how boys and girls are treated and start copying these patterns, which is called gender typing.​ Biological factors (hormones and the brain), thinking processes (cognitive factors), family, media, and peers all work together to create gender differences in behaviour and personality.

1. Biological factors

• Main factors: hormones and brain lateralization.
• Hormones before birth create a tendency towards muscularity or femininity, which becomes clearer at puberty.
• Greater brain lateralization in males is linked to better spatial and mathematical skills; females often show more flexible brain functioning and may tolerate some brain injuries better.

2. Cognitive factors (Kohlberg)

• Children first label themselves as boy or girl, then act in gender-consistent ways.
• Three stages:
• Gender identity: Knowing “I am a boy/girl”.
• Gender stability: Knowing that gender stays the same over time.
• Gender constancy: Knowing gender does not change with clothes or hairstyle.

3. Family influence

• Parents shape gender typing through:
• Different clothes, hairstyles, toys, and room decorations for boys and girls.
• Children are trained from infancy into gender stereotypes, which become part of their personality.

4. Influences beyond family (media)

• TV, radio, newspapers, and social media (Facebook, Twitter, e-books) affect gender attitudes.
• Some media try to reduce stereotypes; effects are usually temporary and fade if not supported by others.

5. Self-esteem and friendship

• In adolescence, friends and peers strongly influence gender roles.
• Earlier gender typing can change if it does not match peer group views.
• Peer approval or rejection affects adolescents’ self-esteem and gender role standards.

• Gender differences come from both biological (hormones, brain) and environmental (family, media, peers) factors.
• Kohlberg's theory includes three stages: gender identity, stability, and constancy.
• Parents influence gender roles through clothing, toys, and tasks.
• Media can affect gender stereotypes, but changes are often temporary.
• Peers in adolescence can shift gender roles if early beliefs don’t match group norms.
• Self-esteem depends on fitting gender expectations from family and peers.