Behavioral Approaches and Gender

Behaviorism is an approach based on explaining behaviors through direct observations. In the early 1900s, psychology was primarily dominated by the study of psychoanalysis and other mental processes, focusing on one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings as a primary method of exploration. However, later in the first decade of the 20th century, several authors delineated psychology as the science of behavior, which is influenced by the environment. Since then, numerous theories have developed, including those incorporating cognitive processes to determine behavior. A combination of behavioral and cognitive principles serves as a basis for learning to identify a sense of gender identity. This entry examines gender identity development and how it relates to behavioral approaches.