From Snapshots to Videotape: New Directions in Research on Gender Differences

Abstract

This article identifies five answers to the question of whether there are sex differences in abilities and personality traits: the “sociobiology” argument, the “differently situated” argument, the “contingent” argument, the “no differences” argument, and the “disadvantage, not difference” argument. The multiplicity of arguments about sex differences derives from contrasting research paradigms in psychology. The individual differences model, stemming from the early days of scientific psychology, assumes a radical individualism in which mental abilities are made up of stable and unalterable individual characteristics that are not influenced by social factors; these characteristics are easily captured by quick, one‐time, “snapshot” research methods. In contrast, the social psychological model considers the individual to be embedded in and influenced by the social situation. This article points out shortcomings of both models for the study of sex differences, and advocates instead a multi‐level approach that considers both micro‐ and macro‐level factors in shaping the behavior of both females and males. Videotape as a metaphor suggests new ways of thinking about research on women's lives.