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Gender differences in personalities

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<p>According to a 2008 study by psychologists, gender differences in personalities (the classic Mars versus Venus debate) becomes more pronounced in cultures with greater [Pagelink infos="gender equality"]. In a series of studies by a group of researchers in [Pagelink infos="Gender Equality in the United States of America of America|America"], [Pagelink infos="Gender Equality in Estonia|Gender Equality in Estonia"] and [Pagelink infos="Gender Equality in Austria|Gender Equality in Austria"] published in the Journal of Personal and Social Psychology (2008), the gender differences in personalities widens depending on gender equality and the state of development of the country. As a New York Times journalist concluded <i>"the more Venus and Mars have equal rights and similar jobs, the more their personalities seem to diverge."</i> 
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<h2 id="w_mars-versus-venus">Mars versus Venus<br /></h2>
<p>The research challenges the established position that greater gender equality will lead to a shrinking in the gap between gender roles and personalities, that is the classic "Mars" versus "Venus" stereotypes. Personality test results have tended to confirm that these models of behaviour are gender-determined. Stereotypes of "Mars" are, in general, competititve, assertive, reckless and emotionally unresponsive. "Venus" tends to be more cooperative, nurturing, cautious and emotionally responsive. The origin of these gender differences have been attributed, by evolutionary psychologists, to hunter-gatherer societies, where gender division of labour necessitated and created these differences in personalities. Another possibility posited is that sexes' personalities are shaped by traditional social roles and that once social roles become more equitable, that is, with more women in the workforce, these gender differences will disappear. <br />
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<h2 id="w_the-analysis">The Analysis<br /></h2>
<p>David P. Schmitt, lead researcher, and his colleagues analysed the responses of 40, 000 respondents to personality tests on six continents. Dr. Schmitt, a psychologist at Bradley University in Illinois and the director of the International Sexuality Description Project, suggests that as wealthy modern societies level external barriers between women and men, some ancient internal differences are being revived. This is especially the case for men since men in traditional agricultural societies and poorer countries seem more cautious and anxious, less assertive and less competitive than men in countries of Europe and North America. <br />
</p><p>Schmitt and his collaborators suggest that hardship may be the reason for this difference: "environmental stress tends to disproportionately affect the larger sex and mute costly secondary sexual characteristics. As Schmitt argues:<br />
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<blockquote><i>“In some ways modern progressive cultures are returning us psychologically to our hunter-gatherer roots. That means high sociopolitical gender equality over all, but with men and women expressing predisposed interests in different domains. Removing the stresses of traditional agricultural societies could allow men’s, and to a lesser extent women’s, more ‘natural’ personality traits to emerge.” </i><br /></blockquote>
<h2 id="w_references">References<br /></h2>
<ul><li>"Why Can't A Man Be More Like A Woman? Sex Differences in Big Five Personality Traits Across 55 Cultures" (pdf). (David Schmitt, Martin Voracek, Anu Realo, Jüri Allik. <i>Journal of Personal and Social Psychology</i>, 2008.) 
</li><li><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/09/science/09tier.html?_r=1&ref=science" alt="The New York Times (2008), "As Barriers Disappear, Some Gender Gaps Widen"">The New York Times (2008), "As Barriers Disappear, Some Gender Gaps Widen"</a><br />
</li></ul>
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