A Review of Sex Role Research

Four types of research on sex roles done in the last decade are described, notably those reflected in measures of cognitive and emotional traits and the politics of caste, which looks at the sexes from the perspective of power.

Abstract

This article describes four types of research on sex roles done in the last decade. The first type deals with sex differences, notably those reflected in measures of cognitive and emotional traits. Its theoretical focus is on the nature-nurture debate. The second type deals with sex roles as reflected in behavior and norms and draws on role theory. The third deals with women as a minority group and draws on minority group theory. The fourth, the politics of caste, looks at the sexes from the perspective of power. The article examines the different intellectual roots, questions, and data involved in each type and discusses the possible implications for sociology.