Encyclopedia of Women and Gender, Two-Volume Set: Sex Similarities and Differences and the Impact of Society on Gender - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0122272455 ISBN 13: 9780122272455

Publisher: Academic Press, 2001

Synopsis

The study of gender differences began in earnest in the 1970s and has since increased dramatically to infiltrate virtually all fields of study in the social and behavioral sciences. Along the way, it was discovered that while women very often think and behave differently than do men, industrialized societies cater to masculine perspectives. The "Psychology of Women" emerged as a field of study focusing on just those areas in which women most often butted against assumed roles. And similarly, in the 1990s, the "Psychology of Men" emerged to focus on the same issues for men.
The Encyclopedia of Gender covers all three areas under one cover, discussing psychological differences in personality, cognition, and behavior, as well as biologically based differences and how those differences impact behavior. Coverage includes studies of these differences in applied settings such as education, business, the home, in politics, sports competition, etc.

Key Features
* Over 100 In-depth chapters by leading scholars in the psychology of women and gender
* Addresses critical questions of similarities and differences in gendering across diverse groups, challenging myths about gender polarization and the "Venus/Mars" distinction
* Broad coverage of topics from theory and method to development, personality, violence, sexuality, close relationships, work, health, and social policy
* Sensitive attention to multicultural and cross-cultural research
* Clearly written, readable, comprehensive, with helpful guides (outline, glossary, reference list)
* Raises difficult questions related to power, inequality, ethics, and social justice
* Challenges the reader to revise established "truths" and to seek further information
* Maintains a feminist and woman-centered focus

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Worell is the current president of the APA division on the psychology of women, and past editor of Psychology of Women Quarterly. She has also chaired the publication board of APA and is section editor of APA's Encyclopedia of Psychology on gender issues. Worell was the unanimous selection to head this encyclopedia by scholars in the field.I am a licensed clinical psychologist, recently retired as professor and department chair from the University of Kentucky, Department of Education and Counseling Psychology. I received my PhD at Ohio State University, have taught at Portland State University, Oklahoma State University, and was a research Associate in the department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa. I have also been in private practice, seeing families with behaviorally-disturbed children. Most recently I regard myself as a feminist therapist with a focus on the issues that motivate women to seek professional help.I have been very active in psychological organizations-was President of the Kentucky Psych Association, the Southeastern Psych Association, and the Society for the Psychology of Women, (a division of the American Psychological Association). In APA, I have been a member and chair of the publications and communications board, which publishes all their books and journals. I was Associate Editor of their major clinical journal, the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and for 6 years was editor of the major research journal on women, Psychology of Women Quarterly. I have had many awards for distinguished contributions, including Outstanding Graduate Professor at UK, Distinguished Leader for Women in Psychology, an honorary doctorate from Colby-Sawyer college, distinguished Kentucky psychologist, etc. I have over 100 publications and presentations in professional books, journals, and meetings. My previous books include:Beyond Appearance: A new look at adolescent girls (1999), Co-Edi

From the Back Cover

This outstanding reference resource brings together the latest information on theory, research, and social policy concerning the psychology of women and gender from leading experts in the social and behavioral sciences. It contains over 100 articles that explore in depth the cultural and political constructions of gender that influence the development and life experiences of women and men from diverse social, cultural, economic, and ethnic/racial groups.

Through a consideration of theory and research, authors address the question of how social and cultural influences have structured and shaped the gender-related roles, behaviors, well-being, life events, and opportunities afforded to diverse groups of girls and boys, women and men. Multicultural and cross-cultural comparisons provide a rich tapestry of gender influences that reflect both similarities and differences within and between groups.

The broad topical areas cover chapters on psychological theories of human behavior and development: feminist perspectives on quantitative and qualitative research methods; lifespan issues in gender development; gender-related personality characteristics; research on close relationships from friendship and social support to sexuality, love, and intimacy; societal contributions to gender development including parenting, education, and the media; work and employment issues including gender segregation and affirmative action policies; health and mental health concerns from depression and trauma to psychotherapy and life-satisfaction; gender-related bias and prejudice that extends to poverty, ethnicity, and sexual orientation; gendered violence expressed in child and adult physical and sexual abuse; and public policy topics that address issues of equity, fairness, and social justice.

Chapters are enhanced with outlines, glossary of important terms, and useful readable references. The volumes provide a comprehensive and valuable contribution to understanding the diverse threads of individual, cultural, and societal contributions to the gendered patterns of experience for women and men that exist in all societies.

Reviews

In the past several decades, the term gender has been reexamined from a variety of scholarly perspectives. The use of gender was introduced in the behavioral and social sciences to distinguish it from the concept of sex which is understood to be biologically defined, while gender is culturally constructed. This set fills a unique niche and succeeds in providing students, researchers, and practicing clinicians with comprehensive coverage of current research and scholarship on the psychology of women and gender in all its diverse manifestations. The goal is "to explore . . . how social and cultural influences have structured and shaped the gender-related roles, behaviors, well-being, life events, and opportunities afforded to diverse groups of women and men."

Androcentrism, Entitlement, Hate crimes, Recovered memories, Social constructionist theory, Test bias, and Work-family balance are some of the themes that are represented. The encyclopedia also examines such topics as Body image concerns, Depression, Divorce and child custody, Friendship styles, Gender stereotyping, and Midlife transitions. Signed A-Z articles cover topics in depth. Each includes an outline, a glossary of relevant concepts, cross-references, and a suggested reading section. To aid the reader, an alphabetical outline of contents appears at the beginning of each volume, and an author and subject index conclude the set.

This is an excellent resource that provides well-organized and clearly expressed information on one of the most fascinating constructs that has shaped, and continues to shape, contemporary society. Highly recommended for academic libraries of all sizes; large public libraries will want to consider its purchase as well, especially in locales in which access to local college libraries is limited for those outside the campus community. RBB
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Edition details

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0122272455
• ISBN 13: 9780122272455
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 1256
• Editor: Worell Judith