...The focus was to explore how the two pairs of close friends engaged in friendships maintenance and whether was there a difference in self-disclosure among same-sex and opposite sex friendships. All interviews lasted around 5-10 minutes each. In order to ensure confidentiality and accuracy of the data, I conversed with each of the participants in private. For a guide of the interview questions, do refer to the appendix enclosed at the end of the report. (lit review) An individual’s personality can be compared to the multiple layers of an onion (altman & taylor, 1973). As outer thin layers are peeled away, it exposed the inner layers which are the private details of the individuals. (Schaeffer, 2010). Depending on the level and nature of the relationship, some layers are hard to peel. Layers are peeled by evaluating perceived rewards and costs of the relationship. Thus, intimacy level will be higher when there are more perceived rewards. Partners will only put in effort to maintain the relationship when the perceived rewards outweigh the costs. According to Hammer and Gudykunst (1987), Relationships are likely to experience four stages of development mainly orientation, exploratory affective exchange, full affective exchange and stable exchange which ranges from the least degree of...
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...should appeal to boys. Is he going to be gay or does he truly want to be a girl?” Kids experimenting with their gender roles are completely normal and it’s around age four and five when children begin understanding (generally) what makes them a boy or a girl. This means this developmental period is even more important for parents to cherish and foster, not restrict and forcibly shape. “The greatest difficulty for children and adolescents who are homosexual or who identify with the opposite sex is the social pressure they feel to behave heterosexually, and the discrimination they may experience because of their sexual orientation or gender identification. This may isolate them from their peers and even their family, and their self-esteem and self-confidence can suffer terribly in the process. A large proportion of teenage suicide attempts are linked to issues of gender confusion and to perceived rejection of an adolescent with a homosexual orientation.” (Schor) Children at your son’s age play with toys of the opposite sex; they are discovering their gender identity. Some children just grow out if it and their gender identity is that as the sex they were born; then there are children who truly feel as if they are in the wrong body and their gender identity is that of the opposite sex. “Kohlberg's theory of gender identity development describes how young children learn to understand their gender, and what being that gender means in their everyday life. Kohlberg theorized that there...
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...Research Design Coursework Hypothesis It is hypothesised that solitary males or females within a group comprising members of the opposite sex will develop stronger gender self-categorisations than will majority males or females, following a co-operative gender-neutral group task. When groups comprise unequal proportions of socially-salient categories (e.g., gender and race), group processes are affected, with the behaviour and self-identities of minority members shifting towards their expected stereotype via a process of role entrapment (Johnson & Schulman, 1989). These behavioural changes become more pronounced with decreasing numerical status and where the token/minority member is normally disadvantaged or subordinated (Saenz, 1994). One explanation suggests that individuals who participate in activities where their social-group membership is made explicit are likely to depersonalise and thereafter self-categorise at the group-stereotype level (Turner et al., 1987). However, existing research on group composition has typically used quasi-competitive activities. This may account for the shift in self-categorisation, especially when there are current, historical or perceived inequalities in the status of group-members, resulting, for example, from race or gender. The current study, then, uses a co-operative group task to investigate the impact of being a single or majority-member of a group on gender self-categorisation. Experimental Design A between-participants...
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...teaches people that sexuality is a natural, normal, healthy part of life and sexual education is needed in high schools to teach young adults not only the dangers of sex such as unwanted pregnancies or STDs, as well as the many other aspects to sex that aren’t spoken about such as identifying ones sexual preference (gay, straight etc.), relationships, protection, the emotional aspect of it, the maturity required and how sex actually works and not just the sexual organs which is what is usually taught to young adults who are going through adolescence which is a very challenging time for many. Sexual education should clarify the issues involved with the topic and not confuse people. Sexual education is needed everywhere...
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...Gender Specific Profanity Use INTRODUCTION In the course of linguistics there has always been an underlying notion that males have a broader range of profanities in their arsenal opposed to females that have a more narrow knowledge and also that as individuals their of swear words differ in the presence of the same and opposite sex. Rarely are men openly expressive terms such as ‘Slut’ or ‘Bitch’ within conversation with a woman and like-wise woman follow a similar conduct with men, but when they are in a same gendered group this friction is no longer present and the use of swear words in both genders increase. It is within this notion that this survey tries to capture the context that adolescent men and woman use profanities. This assignment uses a variety of acclaimed swear words that are used in modern society in different youthful groups within Melbourne, hopefully identifying a certain culture of ‘do’s and don’ts’ in assimilation to addressing the opposite and same sex. HYPOTHESIS That males with have a greater knowledge in identifying the various swear words presented whereas females will have a more narrow understanding of the words presented. Also, that males will generally use more swear word and in a more frequent manner then females. Also that both woman and men will swear more in a same gendered group then when they are in a mixed gendered group. BACKGROUND Sociolinguistic theory and empirical research gives great detail and insights into gender based usage...
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...preference or attraction to those other than but not excluding the opposite sex, such as gay, lesbian and bisexual people. The trials, tribulations and dangers of being gay were brought to light in vivid detail. The gay community has come a long way in reference to being accepted by society but there’s still a long road ahead. Many equality issues still exist for gay and lesbian people, and no laws have yet been put into place to protect them. Personally I have always been under the impression that gay men wanted to be women and that lesbian women wanted to be men but I learned in this interview that most gay and lesbian folks are happy as they are. Since I was young it was always my thought that bisexual people were in fact gay or on the way to being gay, and I was wrong there as well. In listening to this interview it has become quite apparent to me that there’s a lot of misunderstanding between the gay/lesbian and straight communities. There’s far more assumption and speculation than understanding and education in society today in reference to alternative lifestyles. The interview fully covered individuals who have sexual preference or attraction to those of the same sex, and or both. The terms expressed relate to gays, lesbians, and bisexual individuals. The society has yet to accept the new age of gays. In our society we have no laws or beliefs set to uphold rights for gays. The understanding of both gay men and lesbian women was well distinguished in the interview...
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...SOCIOLOGY 1A06 – DECEMBER EXAM REVIEW 1. The Sociological approach: a. is not scientific b. suggests that relations we have with other people create opportunities for us to think and act c. suggests that relations we have with other people set limits on our thoughts and actions d. leaves the study of personal issues to psychologists e. b and c * EXPLANATION: Although sociology contains both objective and subjective elements it is a science. Sociologists observe reality in a systematic and controlled manner and evaluate the validity of their ideas based on observations. Objectivity plays the role of a reality check while subjectivity makes us set our priorities for research. The sociological approach to improving human welfare is based on the idea that the relations we have with other people create opportunities for us to think and act but also set limits on our thoughts and actions. Accordingly, we can better understand that what we are and what we can become by studying the social relations that help shape us. FOR EXAMPLE: even the most personal issues can be studied using a sociological approach Suicide could have been seen as an anti-social act caused by psychological distress but Durkheim studied it from a sociological perspective correlating it to “social solidarity”, how frequently people interact with others and share their beliefs, values and morals. Social forces then determine the likelihood to commit suicide. Sociologists use...
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...Marriage Equality in the United States Com172 Marriage Equality in the United States There is a crusade against same-sex couples in the United States of America, and this conflict affects the rights of those in love with someone of the same-sex wanting a peaceful life in matrimony. It is a persistent battle, and continues to be as difficult as the fight for women’s rights and the desegregation conflicts of the past. Infringing upon Civil rights makes this a matter of human decency, and ignorance-based resistance makes it a matter of fear. Both sides have evoked controversy from political and religious standpoints, and both sides have fought diligently for their beliefs. However, when two consenting adults decide to marry, it is not the business of the government to dictate the relationship between the impending spouses. Marriage is the right of all consenting adults, and when those rights are the property of the state simply because of religious beliefs or personal beliefs, same-sex couples become second-class citizens. In the United States, there are only 13 states legally accepting same-sex marriage, 35 states that consider it illegal and two states that have made no legal decision. Of the 13 states recognizing same-sex marriage, the fight to extend those rights to a federal level has been arduous, making a first major win recently, in June 2013. The Supreme Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be unconstitutional, stating, "DOMA singles out a class of persons...
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...or she might say or appear to be. Abelard keeps true to this belief while considering the status of women. On the contrary, Heloise formulates her view of the status of women based more upon their physicality. Heloise’s distresses regarding the status of women, more specifically the status of women in her convent, stem from the physical differences and inferiority women were understood to have. While Abelard does make mention to the physical weakness of women and Heloise does reference the importance of intention, the two view the status of women differently. Although women were universally accepted as being the inferior sex, Abelard believes through spirituality, commitment, and intention that women can certainly rank equally and even higher than men. In the opening lines of his letter responding to Heloise’s concern, Abelard quickly presents his understanding and view of the status of women through the words of Luke’s Gospel in which it reads, “As he came to call and redeem both sexes, he deigned to unite them in the true monkhood of his congregation, so that the authority of this profession is therefore granted to men and women alike and the perfection of the life he proposed is to be imitated by everybody.”(page 112) This quote indicates that Abelard believes that it was Christ’s intention for women to have heard the same call to monkhood as men. Abelard presents his claim that the spirituality of women is far more important than their physical inferiority by questioning Mary...
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...that individuals are often unaware of, there is no one more influential than the Austrian neurologist and the founding father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. In creating psychoanalytic theory, Freud himself developed various therapeutic methods to establish his central thought process. His analysis of dreams, outlined in his famous work, The Interpretation of Dreams, provided a framework that was used for clinical analysis and diagnosis. He redefined sexuality in his work, Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality, and formulated the concept of the Oedipus complex. Although Freud’s work dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, he is still relevant and his theories equivocally influential. In this essay, I will outline Freud’s key ideas with regards to dreams and sexuality as seen in his famous works, The Interpretation of Dreams, and Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality as well as provide a critical background on both themes along with a assessment of his central concepts based on personal experiences and observations. Freud’s overall framework on dreams is very elaborate. According to Freud, dreams are all forms of “wish fulfillment” at the psychological level, which is that dreams are attempts by the unconscious mind to resolve a problem or conflict that could be rooted in earlier stages of an individual’s life or...
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...“Evaluate the extent to which Freud’s theory of psychosexual development can help us to understand a client’s presenting issue” In this essay I am asked to evaluate one aspect of Freudian theory. I will begin by first describing Freud’s psychosexual theory and demonstrate an understanding of its relationship to adult neurotic behavior. Having done this I will examine some of the criticisms that have been levelled at Freudian theory in order to evaluate it. In 1905 Freud published ‘Three Essays on the theory of Sexuality and other Works’, one of these essays was titled ‘Infantile Sexuality’. In this essay Freud sets out his theory of psychosexual development. He asserts that there is in all humans an innate drive (or instinct>another theory to be debated) for pleasure, a sort of psychic energy, which he calls the libido and this energy needs to be discharged. He then goes on to describe how this drive finds outlet at the earliest stages in life, as babies, toddlers and infants and describes the oral, anal and phallic stages and the psychological effects of fixation at these stages. It is important to note that Freud separated sexual aims and objectives. What Freud meant by sexual in his own writing in German, was ‘life force’ or ‘emotional energy’ (Bettelheim 1983). While this concept has a sexual aspect to it, it is unfortunate that the English translation focuses mainly on this aspect. His work on sexuality and perversions led to the wider theory of sexuality whereby he differentiated...
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...minds of the world. We live in a society where we try and fit in and be like others, so we start to agree with others even if we know it’s wrong. Same sex marriage should be legalized in every state so that no matter where you go you’ll always have the right to be you and be with the person you choose. In 1988, there was a much higher opposition towards same sex marriage, almost everyone was against it. I think the reason for this is because religion was much more of an issue back then than it is now. Now in 2014, people have seemed to become more comfortable with the fact that people are homosexual and getting married. It’s almost like there’s a stereotype of people who are against it though. They say that its elderly people, African Americans, and republicans that seemed to be the most opposing ones. If the issue has come this far in such a short amount of time, I can only imagine how little of time it will take for same sex marriage to be legal in the entire country (Changing Same Sex Marriage Attitudes In America From 1988 Through 2010). Same sex marriage is legal in 16 states, which has caused an uproar in our entire country. States have started to see this change and have really considered whether or not to legalize it. There is only one state that goes both ways, which is Mexico. Mexico doesn’t have a law banning same sex marriage or legalizing it. But they are soon going to make it permanent by legalizing it...
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...Jason A. Huffmaster Professor Levy English 101 May 24, 2016 Gender Communication Communication is a very big deal in every aspect of our daily lives. It’s one way we express our affectionate towards the ones we love and care about among other ways. It is also how we let people know if we are upset and have a problem with them. It’s how we solve our problems and make amends. And now if you place gender into this mix, things begin to get a lot more complicated. Both men and women communicate in completely different ways from the words they use to the tone that’s it is delivered in. I feel a lot of the times when members of the opposite sex communicate it’s like oil and water mixing. I believe communication is the key to any successful relationship; husband, wife; father, daughter; mother, son, and co-workers you should try and develop your communication skills to the best of your ability it could make your personal relationships better, along with a more peaceful home life and, a more successful career at work. I believe the overall combination of these things could help your overall health. The essay “But What Do You Mean” by Deborah Tannen (Bedford pg.379), is very interesting read I find a lot of the comparisons she’s makes are so very true. Not only the comparisons to how men and women communicate differently between themselves in the work place. But also how they communicate with each other in different scenarios and situations whether it be apologizing, fighting,...
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...Social stratification “A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy’ (Macionis and Plummer: 2005: 190). Social stratification is common in different aspects throughout society and throughout history some of the most substantial categories affected are class, race, disabilities, sexuality and globally. However this essay shall be investigating the stratification by gender, referred to as gender inequality. There are many reasons for the disparity of gender “...circumscribed by its underlying social, legal, political, economic, and cultural characteristics” (Rives and Yousefi 1997:1). Gender stratification categories people in regard to their ‘sex’, this can be defined as anatomical differences and physiological differences between male and female for example the difference in chromosomes, sex organs and hormones. The word ‘gender’ has been socially constructed through the means of a stereotype and ideology of the social role, identity, position and behaviour of male and feminine through different institutions and aspects like the media, religion, culturally and historically. Up until the era of Suffragettes in the late 19th Century women were always deemed lower than men and inequality was highly significant society it was fundamentally a patriarchal society. The traditional preconceptions were that men were strong, intellectual beings that were the hunter gatherers and providers for their household. Whereas, women were passive objects that would cook...
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...the contribution of functionalism to our understanding of families and households (24 marks) According to functionalist sociologists, the family is a key institution of society. It performs vital functions for the maintenance of society as a whole and for the benefit of all its individual members. For example, according to George Peter Murdock, it provides for the stable satisfaction of the sex drive and thus avoids the social disruption and conflict that could be caused by a sexual ‘free for all’. Similarly, the family reproduces the next generation and thereby ensures the continuation of society over time. Functionalists tend to see the nuclear family as the ideal family type for modern society. For example, Talcott Parsons argues that it is the family structure best equipped to meet the need of industrial society for a mobile labour force. Similarly, the nuclear family performs two essential functions for its members and for society as a whole. However, not everyone accepts the functionalist view of the family and its role. Marxists and feminists reject its consensus assumptions about who benefits from the family. Similarly, historians and sociologists have put forward evidence to challenge Parsons’ view that there is a ‘functional fit’ between the type of society and the type of family structure found within it. When considering the question, we need to understand that functionalism has contributed towards our understanding of the family. However other perspectives...
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