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Psychological Perspectives on Gender

5 weekly sessions on campus, on Thursdays at 11am-1pm, starting from Thursday 2 October - we are no longer taking enrolments for this course.

Overview

Gender has always been one of the most fascinating (not to mention controversial) areas of psychology. On this course we'll briefly survey the biological grounding of gender, before examining theories trying to explain gender acquisition. Some theories emphasise gender differences, invoking inherited factors and evolution. Some stress social and cultural factors in establishing 'normative' roles or even 'constructing' gender identities. Others talk in terms of developmental processes to which biology and culture both contribute. We shall end with consideration of issues of 'non-normative' gender and how these have been addressed.  

Ideologies, even political doctrines, have always played a role in debates relating to gender, and we shall acknowledge their involvement, but our focus will primarily be on psychological theory and research. You'll be cordially invited to evaluate the evidence and draw your own conclusions! No previous experience or study in this area is required, only an inquisitive and open mind. The course is intended for newcomers and practitioners in relevant professions alike.

Syllabus

  • Week 1: Introduction - concepts of 'sex' and 'gender', the biological evidence. The 'nature-nurture' debate
  • Week 2: The 'nurture' case - social learning theory and social constructionism
  • Week 3: The ‘nature’ case  - Evolutionary approaches and reproductive stratagems
  • Week 4: The developmental approach – Freud and the Oedipus complex; Melanie Klein and object relations; recent updates; cognitive-developmental theory
  • Week 5: Overview; psychiatry and gender; contemporary gender issues. 

Course lecturer

David Rice has a BA (Hons) in Psychology, and an MA in Cultural Studies, and has taught psychology at further and higher education levels for forty years. Retired from full time education, he has been teaching part-time at Continuing Education, University of Liverpool for nearly 10 years.   

Course fee

  • Standard fee: £80
  • Concession fee: £40.