Gender role stereotyping occurs when a person is expected to behave in a certain way based on their sex. Gender is a social construct, and many societies expect males to behave masculinely and females to behave less masculinely. Stereotypes in schools can limit what students can learn by expecting certain behaviors from them based on gender. The male and female brains differ in areas like processing, chemistry, structure and activity levels. Gender stereotyping affects both men and women by influencing behaviors and judgments of those who conform and do not conform to stereotypical roles. Social theories like social role theory and role congruity theory help explain how expectations based on gender roles lead to stereotyping.

1. Gender Role
Stereotyping
By Justin B., Vita D., and Michael M.

2. What is Gender Role Stereotyping?
Education.com defines gender role stereotyping as the type of stereotyping
that occurs when a person is expected to enact a series of norms or
behaviors based upon their sex.

3. How is Gender a Social Construction?
Gender is similar to categories such as ethnicity, race, religion, class and
language. Many societies categories both male and female into
behavioral norms, where males are expected to behave more masculine,
and females are expected to behave less masculine.

4. Masculine vs. Feminine Stereotypes

5. Gender Stereotyping In Schools
Gender Stereotypes in schools can be very hurtful to students education. As a teacher, part of our job is
to provide opportunities to all students to achieve the most out of their education. Expecting students to
exhibit specific behaviors based on their gender can greatly limit what they can learn. It is also very
hurtful on a motivational level. A student may feel discouraged if their interests does not fall into what
their gender is stereotyped into exhibiting. A great example is with group projects: having a boy being
expected to do most of the work in something like a science class, because they are expected to have a
better understanding of equipment can hurt a female's chances of learning the subject.

7. Changes between the male and female brain
● Differences extend beyond what the eye can see.
● Begin at 26 weeks of pregnancy.
● There are exceptions to every rule: boys who are more sensitive, and verbal.
● Equal is NOT the same.

8. Generalized differences in a typical brain
Scientists study four primary areas of difference:
1.Processing
2.Chemistry
3. Structure
4. Activity
1. Processing
a. Male brains utilize nearly seven times more gray matter. Which is
information and action processing centers. This results in tunnel vision. When
engaged in a task or game, they might not demonstrate much sensitivity to other
people or their surrounding.
b. Female brains utilize nearly ten times more white matter. Which is a
networking grid that connects gray matter to other processing centers with one
another. This results in better transition between tasks.

9. 2.Chemistry
a. Both brains process the same neurochemicals but to a different degree.
*Serotonin-helps us sit still;
*Testosterone-sex and aggression chemical.
*Estrogen-female growth and reproductive chemical.
* Oxytocin-bonding and relationship chemical.
b. Males are less inclined to sit still. Are more physically impulsive and
aggressive. Process less of oxytocin. Need different strategies for stress release.
c. Clinics see a preponderance of boys with dyslexia. ADHD also strikes more
boys than girls. Girls with ADHD usually exhibit inattention, while boys are prone
to lack of impulse control.

10. 3. Structural
a. Females often have larger hippocampus: memory center. Since it has
higher density of neural connections girls tend to absorb more sensorial
and emotive information.
a. Females tend to have verbal centers on both hemispheres. Males tend to
have them only on the left.
a. Girls use more words when discussing or describing an event.. story,
person, object or place.
a. Males not only have fewer verbal centers, but often have less connectivity
between them and their memories and feelings.

11. 4. Activity
a. Because of the higher degree of the blood flow in the concentration part of the
brain called the cingulate gyrus women will often ruminate and or revisit
emotional memories more than males do.
a. Males tend, after reflecting more briefly on an emotive memory, analyze it
somewhat, and then move on to the next task.
a. Observers may believe that boys avoid feelings in comparison to girls.
*Understanding differences from the neurological perspective not only opens
the door to greater appreciation of the different genders, it also calls into
question how we parent, educate and support our children from the young age.
.

12. How Stereotyping Affects
Men and Women
Stereotyping has an affect on everyone, man or
woman.
Negative stereotypes influence people more than
positive ones.
Men are more likely to be influenced by explicit
stereotypes.
Women are more likely to be influenced by implicit
stereotypes.

13. Social Theories and
Gender Stereotyping
Using social theories we can describe how gender stereotypes
affect us.
A few theories that help explain gender stereotyping are:
Social Role Theory
Role Congruity Theory
Expectancy Violation Theory

14. Social Role Theory
This is the idea that based on a person’s age, gender, or
socioeconomic class they are expected by society to act in a
particular role.
When we perceive a person’s role, we expect them to act in
accordance to that role.
The theory draws on the fact our minds prefer order, or to
categorize information.
By the time you’ve read this, you’ve given this woman a role.

15. Role Congruency
Theory
This theory proposes that when a person conforms to
their assumed role, the general response by others will
be positive.
However, if a person does not act in a way ascribed to
their role, they will generally garner negative reactions.
This means that men or women who act in accordance to
societal views will be seen in more a positive manner
than those who do not. Does he fit the role society has given him?

16. Expectancy Violation
Theory
When a person violates an expectation assigned to them,
they will be judged more closely.
This increased focus on negative actions will cause these
actions to be judged even more negatively.
The opposite is true for positive unexpected actions, which
are viewed more positively.
Disorder attracts attention.

17. Discussion.

18. References:
www.psychologytoday.com
www.HowStuffWorks.com
www.WebMD.com
http://www.education.com/referenc
e/article/gender-role-stereotyping/
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