Gender development is process of identifying oneself being male or female. Gender roles are expected set thinking and behavior patterns for males and females. Following approaches attempt to explain behavioral differences between male and female. Before viewing the interpretations of various approaches we must take into account the importance of nature and nurture in development.

Nature and Nurture

Nature is hereditary influences and nurture is environmental influences. Today developmental scientists recognize that both influences are essential and are mutually influential. E.g. child’s response to parenting an (environmental influence) is determined by child’s temperament and other inherited characteristics. Development and expression of heredity characteristics is also effected by environmental influences. Like in past century there have been significant increases in average height because of improved nutrition and medical care, in spite of the fact the height is strongly inherited characteristic.

So, is it nature that influences nurture, or is it nurture that modifies nature?

Psychologists have tried to explain the phenomenon of gender differences according to their respective theoretical approaches.

Psychological approaches to explaining gender differences:

The Biological Approach

The Behaviorist/ Social Learning Approach