Guidance for Educators on teaching gender /sex issues, including male psychology

Summary

Throughout psychology education in the UK and the rest of the world, from the earliest introductions in high school onwards, there tends to be a lack of recognition of sex differences in psychological phenomena, and a near complete lack of recognition that some issues are more relevant for men than women. [1] This includes some topics relevant to the classroom itself, such as the fact that far fewer boys than girls study psychology (e.g. 20% or less of undergraduates), and that in general boys have been falling behind girls in educational attainment since the 1980s. [2]

The fact that issues related to men and boys are overlooked is an interesting psychological phenomenon in it’s own right, and might be part of a cognitive distortion called gamma bias. [2] However many educators will find that lots of students will find the topic fascinating and will be eager to find out more.

 What can I do to introduce male psychology into my teaching?

• ·When discussing topics in psychology, check whether there is evidence of a gender difference. For example:

  • In high school (GCSE or A level in the UK), when discussing addiction, note that substance abuse is more common in men worldwide, and is sometimes seen as ‘self-medication’ to cope with psychological problems such as trauma, anxiety or depression. [1]

  • For undergraduate study (e.g. BSc or BA psychology), when discussing depression, discuss the research suggesting that some men express depression and trauma differently than women. For example, male depression is sometime shown not in sadness, but in irritability or aggression. [1]

  • For postgraduate trainings for therapists, whether in psychology, psychotherapy, or any psychological therapy, discuss how a male-friendly approach – one that for example is solution-focused rather than emotion-focused - might be preferred by male clients. [2]

Where can I find materials for teaching?

• These approaches are discussed more fully in Perspectives in Male Psychology: An Introduction [1] which includes some online resources (coming soon) for teachers, and The Handbook of Male Psychology and Mental Health [2]

• Books, academic papers, trainings and workshops are available which provide lots of peer-reviewed information on male psychology.

© The Centre For Male Psychology

Disclaimer: our guidance documents provide basic information based on our expertise. Our guidance documents are not rules, and they may be updated in the light of new information and research evidence. We cannot accept responsibility for situations or outcomes that result from other people’s interpretation of this guidance.

References

[1] Liddon, L., & Barry, J. A. (2021). Perspectives in male psychology: An introduction. Hoboken: Wiley. ISBN: 978-1-119-68535-7

[2] Barry JA, Kingerlee R, Seager MJ and Sullivan L (Eds.) (2019). The Palgrave Handbook of Male Psychology and Mental Health. London: Palgrave Macmillan IBSN 978-3-030-04384-1   DOI 10.1007/978-3-030-04384-1