The Role of Gender in Shaping Self-Perceptions of Sexual and Emotional Behaviour: A Social Identity Perspective

Abstract

Gender is not simply a biologically determined classification but a socially constructed category that is enacted by, and also acts upon, the individual. Previous research has shown that the social category of gender can influence an individual's attitudes, behaviour and self-perception. Despite this, many researchers continue to see gender as a fixed, biologically determined category and seek to explain observed differences or particular behaviours as physiologically determined. The social identity approach holds that normative information regarding the social groups to which one belongs (i.e., group norms) is capable of influencing one's self-perception in order that it more closely aligns with such information. In line with the social identity approach, the three studies reported in this thesis investigated the role that gender norms may have on shaping attitudes and self-perception in areas in which perceptions of gender normativity may be a critical factor. These areas include: emotional functioning (Study 1), sexuality (Study 2) and sexual performance (Study 3).