Half the Human Experience The Psychology of Women

Clear, comprehensive, and highly readable,Half the Human Experiencepresents a balanced perspective on multidisciplinary issues and provides an authoritative analysis of classical and current research from a feminist psychology viewpoint. Hyde examines the balance of cultural and biological similarities (and differences) between the genders, noting how these characteristics may affect issues of equality, and also how men and women behave towards one another. By putting into context the proliferation of research in the field and clearly explaining the relationship between gender and emotion, the author helps demystify the scientific process and study of feminist psychology. Students receive a strong foundation for understanding the influences of gender, race, and ethnicity on psychology and society, as well as strategies for thinking critically about pop culture versus academic feminism as it relates to psychology. Unique in the field, a chapter on "Gender and Emotion" incorporates the cutting-edge research now available on these important issues. This chapter covers gender stereotypes about emotions, ethnic differences in emotion stereotypes, gender differences in emotional experience and expression, and the ways in which gendered emotional expression is socialized. Expanded ethnicity coverage builds on one of the text's key strengths and ensures the most comprehensive multicultural coverage. "Women of Color," an entire chapter, is devoted to describing the cultures of the four major U.S. ethnic groups. Ethnicity coverage also is integrated throughout all other chapters of the text. "Gender and Depression" section in Chapter 15 has been reworked, taking a developmental approach and incorporating the very latest theories and data. Chapter-opening quotations engage students' interest with compelling and thought-provoking statements that relate to the chapter content. Experience the Researchboxes encourage students to engage in hands-on research activities, such as collecting data from friends or replicating an experiment. These activities relate to the content covered in the chapter, bringing concepts to life through practical implementation. Focusboxes, which introduce research and theory in the form of case studies, highlight issues raised in the chapter in a more concentrated manner. Topics include "A Letter from a Battered Wife," "Sexism in Language," and "Women and Computers: The New Frontier of Gender Differences?" Marginal glossary terms appear at point of use in the main text. A full glossary is also available at the end of the text. End-of-chapter material includesIn Conclusion(brief summary paragraphs of key points),Suggestions for Further Reading,andWomen and the Websections, which provide descriptions of three to four key web resources related to the topics in the chapter.