Once the province of a small group of theorists and researchers operating on the periphery of psychological science, gender research has charged into the psychological mainstream during the last two decades. In large measure, Janet T. Spence has been responsible for this transformation, challenging the traditional ideas of "fundamental difference" between men and women. The simple idea of difference, once used to rationalize prejudices and discrimination, has now been replaced by a complex, sophisticated awareness of how gender is constructed and maintained. This book explores new empirical work and theoretical models about the causes and consequences of constructing gender. Using Spence's seminal work as a starting point, the distinguished contributors to this volume examine how gender defines our behaviour as men and women. What keeps sexist thinking alive? What is the difference between traditional sexism and its offshoot, modern sexism? This summary of 30 years of gender research is aimed at scholars of human development.

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