Download Module 2 Female Psychosocial Development

Module 2
Female
Psychosocial
Development
Gender Messages
Female Development: Old
Assumptions, New Conclusions
Studies on women:
Moral development
Assertiveness
“Dependency”
Aggression
Relationships
Relationships and Female
Development
Traditional Theories
 Development as a progression from
dependence to independence
 Goal is self-sufficiency, clear
differentiation, autonomy
Adapted from CORE Associates, Benedict 2004
New Research (Gilligan,
Miller, Jordan)
 Females’ path to maturity is
different from males
 Motivation/goal is to build
connection with others
 Females develop a sense of self and
self-worth through connections
 Connection, as opposed to
separation, is a primary principle of
growth
 Many of the psychological
challenges of women are related to
disconnections from or violations in
relationships.
Relational Aggression
Harming relationships through…
 Gossip
 Backstabbing
 Spreading lies and rumors
 Using information to gain power
 Expressing anger verbally
 Divisive behavior
 Pitting friends against friends
Communication
Relational Language
 What communication skills are important when
working with women?
 “Why don’t you… why didn’t you…” What does
this communicate to a woman?
 Woman walks into your office with a black eye?
 A woman says she will not follow her probation
orders…
Adapted from CORE Associates, Benedict, 2004