The biological model states that there are biological causes for the differences between men and women (e.g. hormones deeply affecting women but not men). The deficit model states that women are not equal to men with regards to capabilities.
The stereotypes of gender differences are that there are gender differences in:
- Verbal skills
- Mathematical skills
- Spatial skills
However, these gender differences do not necessarily exist. The differences in math aptitudes are more culturally determined rather than determined by natal gender. Gender is not a good predictor of mathematics achievement while SES and mother’s education are highly predictive.
Depression is stereotypically seen as a female problem. More women than men reach the diagnostic criteria for depression, especially during adolescence. This difference was already present at age 12 and peaks at the ages 13 to 15 but declines in the 20s and remains stable afterwards.
This stereotype has several problems:
- Overdiagnosis of depression in women.
- Underdiagnosis of depression in men.
- Men become more reluctant to seek help.
Theories on this gender difference typically focus on the emergence of the gender difference in depression in adolescence. However, the fact that this difference stabilizes in later life needs to taken into account when assessing or creating a theory.
There are several gender differences with medium effect sizes:
- Pornography use (i.e. more men than women).
- Masturbation behaviour (i.e. men more often than women).
- Attitude towards casual sex (i.e. men more lenient than women).
