Psychology of Gender/Sex

by Vicki S. Helgeson, Krystle M. Balhan, Erin Winterrowd

Overview

Now in its 7th edition, Psychology of Gender/Sex reviews the research and issues surrounding gender from multiple perspectives, including psychology, sociology, anthropology, and public health. It explores the ways in which gendered experiences are varied across development, social identities, and locations, focusing on the construct of gender/sex, as well as the implications of gender/sex for school, work, relationships, and health.

Going far beyond discussions of biological sex and gender identity, the text explores the gender/sex roles that society assigns to people, the various ways in which people break and bend those roles, and the other variables that co-occur with gender/sex, such as status and power.

Key features of this edition include:

• Updated and integrated coverage of LGBTQ+ issues, identities, and experiences
• Expanded emphasis on the intersectionality of gender/sex
• Renewed focus on abortion/bodily autonomy and reproduction
• Expanded discussions of emerging topics such as online interactions and social media, the impact of COVID on gender/sex inequalities, gender/sex in the workplace, and social justice and activism

Engaging and readable, Psychology of Gender/Sex is an essential text for all students of gender from psychology, women’s studies, gender studies, sociology, and anthropology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032643496
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/29/2025
Edition description:	7th ed.
Pages:	776
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Vicki S. Helgeson is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Gender, Relationships, and Health Lab at Carnegie Mellon University.

Krystle Balhan is Instructor of Psychology and Director of Grants and Special Projects, STEM Division at Seattle Central College.

Erin Winterrowd is Professor of Psychology and Academic Dean of Regis College at Regis University.

Table of Contents

Part 1. Background: Making Sense of Gender/Sex  1. Introduction 2. Methods of Gender/Sex Research 3. Theories of Gender/Sex Development 4. Gender/Sex Comparisons  Part 2.  Sexism and Discrimination  5. Sexism and Gender/Sex-Role Stereotypes 6. School and Sports 7. Work, Discrimination, and Leadership  Part 3.  Relationships  8. Friendship 9. Romantic and Family Relationships 10. Power and Relationships  Part 4.  Health  11. Gender/Sex and Physical Health 12. Gender/Sex and Mental Health

Editorial Reviews

"The updated focus of this longstanding textbook is signaled through its changed title, the rationale for which is laid out in clear detail by Helgeson, along with her new co-authors Balhan and Winterrowd. The 7th edition retains the authoritative synthesis of scholarship and research in the field while adopting a refreshed and inviting tone that will appeal to the sensibilities of today's students. We appreciated the expanded attention to gender/sex beyond the binary, the wider lens on the role of relationships in people's lives, the greater emphasis on structures of power, and the enhanced discussion of LGBTQ+ communities. The addition of learning outcomes and the expansion of the sidebars give teachers and students more ways to track learning and distill and expand upon key ideas."

Christie Launius, Kansas State University and Holly Hassel, Michigan Technological University, co-authors Threshold Concepts in Women's and Gender Studies: Ways of Seeing, Thinking, and Knowing.

"Helgeson (with two new co-authors to this edition, Balhan and Winterrowd) have produced an important textbook with intersectional, interdisciplinary, and scientific perspectives on gender/sex. With an engaging writing style, the book provides the most cutting-edge perspectives and empirical research on gender/sex identities, their connections to other social categories, and their roles in various important contexts, including family, relationships, friendships, health and well-being. Every reader – from an undergraduate student to a seasoned scholar in the area – will benefit from a thoughtful read of this text. Although “Psychology” is in the title, this book provides multiple additional perspectives, including from sociology, anthropology, public health, and relationship science."

Susan Sprecher, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Illinois State University

From the Publisher