M.A. / The psychological study of gender has evolved to comprise both dispositional and social cognitive perspectives (Morawski, 1987). Recent theoretical debates within these fields have centred on multifactorial and unifactorial conceptions of gendered factors (Spence, 1993), and the cognitive representation of gender (Howard & Hollander, 1997). This study aimed to investigate specific phenomena implicated in the above approaches. Firstly, it assessed the influence of using gender as a basic-level category (Fiske & Taylor, 1991) for the organisation of person schemas on other elements of the perceivers’ gender belief systems (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). These elements comprise the use of gender stereotypical perception of others, endorsement of traditional-sexist gender attitudes, and self-identification with expressive and instrumental personality traits (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). Secondly, the study aimed to explicate the structure of perceivers’ gender belief systems (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998). To this end, multifactorial gender theories (Koestner & Aube, 1995), as explanations of the interrelations of gendered factors, were evaluated. Spence and Sawin’s (1985) multifactorial gender identity theory was specifically scrutinised in this regard. Hypotheses which were informed by sceptical accounts of the theoretical utility of the femininity and masculinity constructs (Spence & Buckner, 1995), gender transcendence theories (Ravinder, 1987c), robust multifactorial findings (Spence & Buckner, 2000), and recent advances in social cognitive theory (Higgins, 2000) were formed based on a review of the relevant literature.. Various self-report measures were utilised to address the research questions. A modified version of Kelley’s (1955) Role Construct Repertory test (Rep test), an Instrumental and Expressive scale (I/E scale) developed by Spence and Buckner (2000), a modified version of the Adjective Check List (ACL-M; Beere, 1990), the Attitudes toward Women Scale (AWS; Spence & Helmreich, 1978), and the Macho Scale (MS; Villemez & Touhey, 1977) were administered to a test sample of university students. The results of the study suggested that elements of the gender belief system relate to one another in complex patterns. Perceivers’ use of gender as a basic-level category was found to partially predict, along with their endorsement of traditional-sexist gender attitudes, the degree to which they implemented societal gender stereotyping. In addition, general multifactorial assumptions regarding gender (Koestner & Aube, 1995) were confirmed in that components of the gender belief system (Deaux & LaFrance, 1998) were shown to have varied interrelations depending on their specific properties (Spence, 1993). Multifactorial gender identity theory (Spence & Buckner, 2000; Spence & Sawin, 1985) received less support, and findings obtained suggested that its conceptions regarding femininity and masculinity as ineffable identity factors to be flawed. Alternative explanations of these findings that reflected gender transcendent and social cognitive insights (Frable, 1997; Freedman & Lips, 1996) better accounted for the results. In conclusion, the present study found considerable individual variance among perceivers’ use of gender as an important basic-level category for person perception. These differences in viewing males and females as fundamentally different human beings (Howard & Hollander, 1997) impacted on how targets (both known and less known) were perceived in terms of ostensibly gendered attributes. In addition, multifactorial conceptions of gender were supported as well as the contention that femininity and masculinity are not theoretically useful heuristics (Morawski, 1987).

The transition to parenthood has been noted to be a significant milestone in an individual’s life that can have varying effects on the marital relationship. The marital relationship has further been noted to have implications on father involvement with children, where such involvement allows for better health and well being of the child. Sexual intimacy has been noted to be a significant aspect of a marital relationship that has an impact on marital satisfaction. As such the aim of this study was to explore father’s experience and understanding of fatherhood as well as their perceptions of the marital relationship post birth of the first child. The marital relationship was explored through understanding how the birth experience and presence of the baby influence fathers’ perceptions of their wife’s desirability’s, of marital intimacy and how sexual intimacy fits into the relationship post birth of the baby. The study consisted of a qualitative design and eight fathers were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule. The data was then analysed using thematic content analysis. Findings suggested that whilst fathers reported a distinct decline in sexual intimacy there was no decline in marital satisfaction. Decline in marital satisfaction may have been buffered against, as fathers seemed to prepare for the birth of their child and held realistic expectations of the adjustments that would be required post birth of the baby. In addition, their view of intimacy had broadened to include sensuality where spending alone time with their wife and communication were seen as equally significant to sexual intimacy. The results from the study further indicated that fathers are becoming more involved in their parental role. In this regard fathers tended to create an individual space between them and their baby. This finding is in direct contrast to psychodynamic theories which discuss the father as involved in a triadic relationship with his child and hence relating only through the mother.

In past gender identity research, little attention has been paid to the determinants of the various dimensions of gender identity (felt pressure for gender differentiation, gender contentedness, and within-gender typicality). This study examined whether children’s self-perceptions and social behaviors influence changes in gender identity over time. One hundred and ninety-five fourth- through seventh-graders completed self-report and peer-report questionnaires during the fall and spring of a school year. This study found that both felt pressure for gender differentiation and within-gender typicality are fluid, rather than stable, constructs during childhood. It also found that sex plays a significant role in not only which constructs influence gender identity, but which components of gender identity are influenced. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the relationship between identity, behaviour and desire to examine the nature of research among homosexually active men. The hypothesis is that samples of such men necessarily reflect the definitions of sexuality and homosexuality, and their interpretation, by both the researchers themselves and their research subjects, meaning that the research process itself is marked by the subjectivity of the field of sexuality. The relationship between the observer and the observed is intrinsic to research into homosexual subjectivity and the samples obtained, therefore, represent particular kinds of sexual subjects in a particular social and sexual cultural milieu. Research in this field has given pre-eminence to behaviour over identity and desire, and, as such, has usually failed to account for these differences in sexual subjectivities. To investigate this problem, I have reviewed the relevant literature both on subjectivity and on methodological approaches to research among homosexual men, and I have appraised my own ideological and personal relationships with the subject matter. I have examined the nature of the samples of homosexual men I have obtained during my work as a researcher within the Sydney gay community and reanalysed these with regard to the particular problematic I have identified. These investigations and analyses have shown that there are numerous differences within and between the various samples of homosexual men obtained, indicating that methodological frameworks can determine the nature of the samples obtained. These differences in samples also appear to reflect differences in the ways of enacting homosexual desire among the men in the studies. However, they also parallel differences in the definitions and understandings of the target population by the researchers themselves. These differences reflect differences in definition and understanding both of homosexuality and of the population of gay men, but they also represent differing patterns in the ways of being and living ?gay?, differences in sexual subjectivity. ?Gayness? and homosexuality, as concepts in research, are both the subjective basis on which the research endeavour itself is based, as well as its representational outcome.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Acadia University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 81-92). Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

No description available.

This qualitative study explored the meaning and description of profound sexual and spiritual connection among practising Christians. Investigations of the conditions and events that led to these peak encounters as well as the aftereffects of such experiences were also conducted. It was purposed that this research would enhance understanding of sexual and spiritual connection, inform theories of love, transpersonal experience, and Christian theology regarding sexuality, as well as provide counsellors with some initial strategies to promote more holistic sexual intimacy among their Christian clientele. The methods of inquiry and data analysis were based on a phenomenological approach. The researcher conducted an in-depth interview with five men and five women, representing five Christian denominations, who had experienced a profound event that was simultaneously sexual and spiritual. The statements within each participant's transcript were analyzed to discover clusters of meaningful themes. A follow-up interview with each contributor validated these individual or "situated structural" descriptions. Twenty-five common themes emerged from the interview data and a fundamental structure or "common story" was culled from the exhaustive description of the phenomenon. The themes of the sexual and spiritual encounter were categorized into the into the following three phases: Preconditions and Facilitating Events; Descriptive Themes of the Encounter; and Aftereffects. The exhaustive description and fundamental structure were validated by all the participants in a final follow-up consultation. The study results offered an empirical and experiential basis for previous conjectures on linking sexuality and spirituality. The findings were interpreted in light of existing research on love, transpersonal mystical experience, and Christian theology on sexuality. Comparisons were made to the experience of transcendental sex experienced by Tantric practitioners. Potentials for individual and relational growth were explored. Following these interpretations, a number of specific recommendations were made for future research and counselling practice.