Unit 3 - Lesson 3
AP Psychology Lesson: Gender and Sexual Orientation: Influences on Behavior
Unit: Development and Learning | Lesson: 3 of 3 | Topic: Gender and Sexual Orientation: Influences on Behavior
AP Exam Weighting: 15%–25% of exam score
Instructions: Complete this lesson during class by filling in the blanks and answering questions. All information needed is provided or will be researched in class. This lesson prepares you for the AP Psychology exam by exploring how gender and sexual orientation influence behavior, a key concept in developmental psychology. Use the provided spaces to write your answers clearly, focusing on applying concepts critically.
Warm-Up
Purpose: Get you thinking about how gender and sexual orientation shape behavior.
Questions:
- How might society’s expectations of gender affect someone’s career choice?
- Why might someone’s sexual orientation influence their social interactions?
Your Answers: Write a short response (1–2 sentences) for each question.
Key Concepts
Instructions: Read the information below and answer the questions to learn core AP concepts. For definitions, write them in your own words based on the content or look up a different definition if directed by your teacher (e.g., via apa.org or Google Scholar).
Content: Gender refers to the social and cultural roles associated with being male, female, or nonbinary, distinct from biological sex. Gender identity is one’s internal sense of gender, which may align or differ from assigned sex (e.g., transgender individuals). Sexual orientation describes patterns of attraction (e.g., heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual). Social learning theory suggests gender roles are learned through observation and reinforcement (e.g., boys encouraged to be assertive). Example: A girl may avoid STEM fields due to gendered stereotypes. Gender schema theory explains how cognitive frameworks shape gender-related behaviors. Social acceptance or stigma around sexual orientation affects behaviors like self-expression or relationships. Cultural norms heavily influence gender and orientation outcomes.
- Define gender in your own words: _______________________________
- Define sexual orientation in your own words: _______________________________
- Define gender identity in your own words: _______________________________
- Explain how social learning theory influences gender-related behavior, using a specific example:
- Explain how gender schema theory influences behavior, using a different example:
- How does sexual orientation affect social interactions in a cultural context?
- Why might stigma around sexual orientation impact mental health?
- How could cultural norms shape gender identity development?
Guided Activity
Instructions: Work in pairs to complete the two tasks below. Write your answers and be prepared to share one key point from each task with the class.
Task 1: Scenario Analysis: Scenario: A student avoids traditionally “feminine” activities like dance due to peer pressure. Analyze how social learning theory and gender schema theory contribute to this behavior. For example, consider how societal reinforcement or cognitive frameworks shape their choice.
Your Response for Task 1: Explain the role of each concept in the behavior.
Class Share for Task 1: Note one point you’ll share.
Task 2: Case Application: Imagine a person hides their sexual orientation due to fear of rejection. Apply the concepts of sexual orientation, gender identity, and social learning theory to explain their behavior. For example, evaluate how cultural norms or learned behaviors affect their actions.
Your Response for Task 2: Apply the concepts to explain the person’s behavior.
Class Share for Task 2: Note one point you’ll share.
Class Assignment: Refer to the assignment file for this lesson
Instructions: Complete the tasks below to deepen your understanding of gender and sexual orientation.
Study Summary 1: A 2017 study found that children exposed to rigid gender norms through media adopted more stereotypical behaviors, supporting social learning theory.
Question 1: How does this study demonstrate the impact of social learning on gender behavior, and what might moderate these effects?
Study Summary 2: A 2020 study showed that stigma around sexual orientation increased anxiety in adolescents, but supportive environments reduced negative outcomes.
Question 2: Evaluate how this study illustrates the influence of sexual orientation on behavior, and suggest one way to improve supportive environments.
AP Exam Connection: This practices analyzing and evaluating research, a key skill for FRQs.
AP Exam Practice
Instructions: Answer the question below. We’ll review answers as a class to learn exam strategies.
Free-Response Question (FRQ):
Explain how gender, sexual orientation, and social learning theory interact to influence a specific behavior (e.g., career choice, relationships, or self-expression). Provide one example for each factor (gender, sexual orientation, social learning theory) and analyze how they interact to shape the behavior.
Closure
Instructions: Write a brief summary (2–3 sentences) of two key ideas you learned today about how gender and sexual orientation influence behavior.
Extended Practice
Instructions: Complete the tasks below based on today’s lesson to reinforce AP skills.
- Review your answers from this lesson.
- Write a detailed paragraph (5–7 sentences) applying today’s topic to a real-life behavior (e.g., how gender or sexual orientation affects your social interactions or choices). Include references to gender, sexual orientation, and social learning theory, and explain their interaction.
- Find a short article or study on gender or sexual orientation and behavior (e.g., via apa.org) and write 2–3 sentences summarizing its relevance to today’s lesson. Cite the source (e.g., website or article title).