CHAPTER 2: THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER

Evolutionary Psychology Theory on Gender Key Points

Evolutionary psychology theory on gender • Certain traits, such as physical characteristics,
suggests that the differences between men and behaviors, or abilities, have evolved in order to
women in terms of behavior, cognition, and emotion increase an individual's chances of obtaining a
can be explained by the different reproductive mate.
strategies that have evolved to increase the chances • Certain traits are not selected for their survival value
of survival and reproduction. According to this theory, but for their ability to attract mates, and that these
men and women have evolved different adaptations traits can be either honest or dishonest signals of
to the challenges of survival and reproduction. an individual's fitness. The theory also explains that
Key Points the evolution of these traits can lead to sexual
1. According to evolutionary psychology theory on dimorphism in physical, behavioral, and cognitive
gender, gender differences in behavior, cognition, and characteristics.
emotions are biologically-based. • An evolutionary psychology perspective that
2. This theory suggests that men and women have explains how the asymmetry in resources
evolved different adaptations to the challenges of
survival and reproduction, leading to differences in Parental Investment Theory
behavior and cognition. that men and women invest in their offspring
3. Men evolved to be more competitive and influences their reproductive strategies. The
aggressive because they have historically had to theory was first proposed by Robert Trivers in
compete for resources and mates. Women evolved 1972 in his paper "Parental Investment and Sexual
to be more invested in nurturing and caring for Selection."
their offspring. Key Points
4. The theory suggests that gender differences in • The sex that has to physiologically invest more in its
mating strategies, aggression, and communication offspring evolves to be more picky about mates
styles evolved as a response to environmental because a mating error is more costly to that sex.
pressures over time. • It is in the reproductive interest of the
5. Evolutionary psychology theory emphasizes that non-investing or less-investing sex to be
these differences are not rigid or fixed but can be competitive with its own members in order to get
influenced by cultural and social factors that might access to members of the more valuable sex.
have an effect on the way the gender roles are • Men have evolved to invest less in each offspring
represented. but to produce more offspring, while women have
evolved to invest more in each offspring but to
Theoretical Perspectives on the Evolutionary produce fewer offspring.
Psychology Theory on Gender
Perspective Sexual Selection Theory Adaptation Hypothesis
Theoretical perspective of evolutionary psychology This perspective explains how specific traits have
that explains how traits are chosen because of evolved to solve adaptive problems in a specific
how they affect a person's ability to attract a mate environment. It was first proposed by Charles
and have children. This theory was first proposed by Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th
Charles Darwin in 1871, in his book The Descent of century, and further developed by biologists such
Man and Selection in Relation to Sex and then as George Williams and J.B.S Haldane.
developed by George Williams in the 1960s.
 CHAPTER 2: THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER

Key Points
• This theory states that natural selection shapes 3.Lack of historical and cultural sensitivity.
certain characteristics, behaviors, or abilities over Evolutionary psychology on gender is sometimes
time, so that those more suited to the environment criticized for not taking into account how
are more likely to be passed on to future generations. historical and cultural factors shape gender roles and
• Most traits of an organism are adaptations that behaviors, which can lead to an oversimplification of
helped solve an ecological problem in the organism's how gender roles change over time.
environment and that these traits are the result of 4.Lack of attention to intersectionality.
trade-offs between benefits they provide and the cost Evolutionary psychology on gender is not always
they impose. able to account for the way in which multiple
identities (such as race, class, sexuality) intersect
Limitations of the Evolutionary Psychology and shape gender roles and behaviors.
Theory on Gender 5. Lack of consideration of environmental factors.
Critics of evolutionary psychology on gender argue Evolutionary psychology on gender also could be
that it oversimplifies and exaggerates the criticized for not considering the impact of
differences between men and women, and it environmental factors on shaping gender
ignores the influence of culture, socialization, and differences, such as access to education, healthcare
context on shaping gender roles and behaviors. and economic opportunities, which could play a
They also argue that it implies that gender crucial role on the way the gender roles are
differences are fixed and determined by biology, represented.
neglecting the role of social and environmental
factors in shaping gender identity, expression,
and roles. Additionally, this theory cannot account for
the diversity of human experience, cultural influences,
and social constructs on shaping gender roles and
expectation.

Some key points on the Limitations of the

Evolutionary Psychology on Gender.

1.Ignores individual variation. Evolutionary

psychology on gender tends to focus on universal
patterns of behavior, which might not take into
account individual variations in behavior and
experiences.
2.Overemphasis on biology. Evolutionary
psychology on gender can be criticized for
overemphasizing the role of biology and genetics
in shaping gender differences, and neglecting the
impact of social and cultural factors.
 CHAPTER 2: THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER

Sociological Theory on Gender Structural perspective- perspective argues that

Sociological theory on gender seeks to explain how society is made up of symbolic parts that
social structures, norms, values, and processes contribute to the functioning of the whole society,
shape gender roles and identities, and how they and it sees gender roles and identities as functional
influence behavior and outcomes. for society because they help to maintain a stable
Focuses on the social construction of gender, the division of labor and social organization.
ways in which gender shapes and is shaped by Key Points
society and culture, and how it intersects with other - Gender roles and relationships have a function in
forms of social inequality. society.
Also examines how social structures, norms, and - These roles and relations contribute to the overall
processes are being used to maintain power and stability and order of society.
privilege in society.
Key Points Symbolic Interaction perspective- perspective
1. Gender roles and identities are shaped by the asserts that people do not respond directly to the
ways in which different groups compete for power and world around them but to the meaning they bring
resources in society. to it.
2. Gender roles and identities have a significant role Key Points
in society that could be functional or problematic, and • Gender roles are learned through the
they shape social behavior and outcomes. socialization process, and it emphasizes the
3. Social interactions and communication play a importance of how people interact with each other in
significant role in how people form and maintain their shaping and maintaining these roles.
gender roles and identities. • People construct and make sense of their gender
4. Gender roles and identities are not isolated. They roles, identities, and relationships through social
intersect with other forms of social inequalities, such interactions and how these meanings shape their
as race, class, and sexual orientation. These shape actions and beliefs.
an individual's experiences and behaviors. • Societal expectations of gender roles are reinforced
in these interactions.
Theoretical Perspectives on Sociological
Theory on Gender
Conflict perspective- This perspective explains that
society is a stage on which struggles for power
and dominance are acted out and that these
struggles shape gender roles and identities.
Key Points
- Male dominance in society is maintained through a
belief system that promotes gender inequality and
reinforces patriarchal power structures.
- Conflict perspective emphasizes how different
groups (such as men and women) struggle for power
and resources and how this struggle shapes social
and economic outcomes, including gender roles and
relations.
 CHAPTER 2: THEORIES AND PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER

Limitations of Sociological Theory on Gender

1. Lack of focus on individual experiences. Some
critics argue that sociological theories of gender do
not sufficiently take into account the unique
experiences and perspectives of individual
women and men and how these experiences shape
their gender roles and identities.
2. Lack of focus on intersectionality. Some critics
argue that sociological theories of gender do not
sufficiently take into account how gender
intersects with other forms of social inequality,
such as race, class, and sexual orientation, and
how these intersections shape social outcomes and
experiences.
3. Overgeneralization. Some critics say that
sociological theories of gender tend to make broad
generalizations about all women and men, which
can hide the diversity and complexity of gender
experiences.
4. Essentialism. Critics argue that some sociological
theories of gender assume that gender is a fixed
and essential characteristic rather than a social
construct, which can obscure the ways in which
gender is shaped by social, cultural, and historical
factors.
5. Lack of focus on change. Some critics argue that
sociological theories of gender do not sufficiently
take into account how gender roles and identities
are changing over time and how social change can
shape gender relations.