Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay were having lunch at the mall when they heard on the radio about the tragic deaths of a number of local children in a bus accident. Both were overcome with emotion. Mrs. Ramsay started to cry, but Mr. Ramsay masked his feelings. As the Critical Thinking box "Are Women Really More Emotional Than Men?" notes, this gender difference in the expression of emotion is probably a result of:
A) genetic predispositions.
B) culturally determined display rules.
C) gender differences in blood levels of the hormone estrogen.
D) gender differences in blood levels of the hormone testosterone.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gender difference in the expression of emotion is most likely due to the socially constructed display rules that dictate what emotions are appropriate for each gender to express in certain situations. These display rules are learned through socialization and vary across different cultures. While genetics and hormones may play a role in emotional expression differences between men and women, the cultural factors are likely the primary determinant.

Mr and Mrs