DL - Gender and Sexual Orientation Lesson
Learning Target:
- Describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development.
Courtesy of the AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2024. (n.d.). Links to an external site.
Gender and Sexual Orientation 
Sex and gender play significant roles in shaping socialization and other aspects of development. Sex refers to an individual's biological characteristics, such as reproductive organs and hormones, while gender refers to the social and cultural expectations and norms associated with being male or female.
Gender socialization involves teaching children the norms, values, and behaviors associated with their gender from a young age. According to the social learning theory, our understanding of gender identity is developed through observing and imitating behaviors associated with a particular gender. Children learn about gender roles by being rewarded or punished based on their actions. For example, boys may be taught to be assertive and competitive, while girls may be taught to be nurturing and empathetic. These gender roles can influence various developmental outcomes, including academic achievement, social relationships, and career choices.
Sex and gender can also influence the development of personality traits and cognitive abilities. For example, research has shown that males perform better on spatial tasks, while females perform better on verbal tasks. Similarly, males are more likely to exhibit traits associated with aggressiveness and risk-taking, while females are more likely to exhibit traits associated with empathy and nurturing.
Furthermore, sex and gender can also influence the development of mental health issues. For example, males are more likely to develop substance use disorders and conduct disorders, while females are more likely to develop anxiety and mood disorders.
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