Provide a brief overview of the nature vs. nurture spectrum of causes of male vs. female differences in personality

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: The textbook provides some evidence of biological factors and social factors that cause differences between the sexes and ends with a hint at the possibility of integration through the biopsychosocial model. Recent finds have shown that oxytocin, a hormone that females generally have more of, is increased in women under stress and facilitates a “tend-and-befriend” response. Conversely, testosterone, which is generally experienced in higher concentrations by males, is increased under stress in males and encourages a “fight-or-flight” response. The textbook suggests that oxytocin could account for sex differences in tender-mindedness and nonverbal sensitivity. The book also summarizes evidence of the effects of social learning theory, such as Bandura’s. There is evidence that girls score lower on math and science tests because they find these subjects uninteresting or unappealing, not because of any lack of inherent ability to do them.