Question

Describe the relationship between gender stereotypes and actual differences between boys and girls. Are these stereotypes accurate? Explain. Answer all parts of the question.

Answer 1

Gender stereotype may be defined as simplistic generalizations about the gender attributes, differences, and roles of individuals or groups.

For eg Females may be stereotyped as being emotional where as Males may be stereotyped as being aggresive.

Research has shown that gender stereotypes may be accurate in the following manner :

1. They can be correctly applied at both the individual and the group level.

2. There is no overlap between the characteristics men and women used to describe themselves.

3. at the group level, people are fairly accurate observers of women’s and men’s actual characteristics.

4. stereotypes usually lead to discrimination against women and men.