Chapter 4: Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity

Gender Development

About Gender: Towards a Balanced Account of Human Gender and Sex DifferencesThis site is an excellent resource. It strives to provide an impartial account of the political, social, and intellectual history of our understanding of and views toward gender differences.

Men Are From Mars
In article and accompanying video from Science Daily, neuroscientists use functional imaging to look at how men and women respond differently to stress.

Sex: Unknown
The companion website to the fascinating PBS NOVA special about identical twins, one of whom was sexually reassigned shortly after birth. Includes numerous links and information on the biology of gender as well as firsthand reports from transsexuals.

Evolutionary Psychology: Understanding Human Nature

Evolutionary Psychology: A Primer
A highly readable overview of the central theory and findings of evolutionary psychology by two of the field’s experts, Leda Cosmides and John Tooby.

The Science of Gender and Science
A lively debate between two eminent researchers - evolutionary psychologist Steven Pinker and cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Spelke - on how research on mind, brain, and behavior relates to gender disparities in the sciences. Topics include bias, discrimination and innate and acquired difference between the sexes. Includes full transcript, full audio, and select video clips of the debate.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Sexes
All you need to know about the science of sex. Published in the open source journal, PLoS Biology.

Parents and Peers

Parenting Style Quiz
Take this short quiz and find out what style parent you (or your parents) are.

What is Parenting? Parent Teacher Education Connection
Extensive resource related to many aspects of parenting, including several sections related to cultural differences and influences in parenting.

The Nurture Assumption
Developmental psychologist Judith Harris runs this site dedicated to examining the contrast between genetic and environmental influences on child development and what that implies for parenting and children’s social behavior. http://home.att.net/~xchar/tna/