Ekunode 1.
Student: Olufunmilayo Ekunode
Professor: Maria Pagano
Section: 6903
Course: 2301
Due Date: 5/17/12.
Ekunode 2
1. What does Simon Baron-Cohen’s work conclude? Why do you believe that this finding is important for understanding gender differences?
Answer: Simon Baron-Cohen’s work concludes that biologically speaking, there is the absolute natural difference between boys and girls. For example, Girls tends to explain and describe their feelings more than boys do while boys usually find it difficult to talk or express feeling. Where girls are verbally emotive, boys are more spatial mechanical such as, being competent and effective in a lot of technical careers like architect or chemist more than girls. Although, the above-mentioned does not determine that girls cannot be as competent and effective as boys, this also means that the differences between boys and girls is not biological, but social and cultural factors could curb girls from doing as much as boys which is why I belief the finding is important to understand gender differences.
2. What are at least two social factors that work against, and can influence the performance of females? Explain and provide examples of each factor that you note.
Answer: Cultural factors and Society in which live in could hinder and influence woman‘s performance. For example, the cultural factor, males are viewed as being better in physics, chemistry, math, and other complex subject than females even though the females are also good at the above-mentioned subject. In the work place, female’s work is considered to be inferior to that of male’s work, this means that male’s work is considered to be superior than female’s work. The society is a factor that hinder and influence female’s performances. As a result of this mindset created in females, it makes it very intimidating and uncomfortable especially, when only one female is found in workplace where the majorities there are males. This factor alone could pose a threat to female’s work and performance it make.
Ekunode 3
3. In your own words…What is the stereotype threat? Why do think that it is important to understand this concept?
Answer: Having biased mind or some prior assumptions of someone or certain group of people without any knowledge of who this individual or group are, is stereotyping. This negative act of judging someone could lead to that person or the group unable to perform effectively in intellectual areas, because this individual or group are considered as inferior by those who is stereotyping them. It is very essential then to understand the threat of stereotype, because prejudging and having biased mind about certain particular group could greatly affect them not only intellectually but also in their contribution and performance to the society. If the group being stereotyped, is given the chance to manifest equal or higher level of performance, it will be easier change their mindset that they are not being stereotyped.
4. In your own words….Provide at least one example of how Aronson reduced the stereotype threat?
Answer: The major reason of Aronson speech is to reduce the threat of stereotype. So, in Aronso speech he mentioned various types of tests which reduces the stereotype threat, such as the comparison the stereotype group and the non-stereotype group
