Gleichheit oder Differenz? Eine methodenkritische Perspektive auf Geschlechtsunterschiede am Beispiel Geschlecht und Aggression. Diploma Thesis. University of Vienna

When examining gender differences and similarities a number of biases concerning methods can occur that can inflate gender differences. Based on the finding that women and men are similar on most psychological and social variables, the question whether the commonly found gender difference in aggression is an artefact (whether the difference diminishes or disappears when applying a critical methodological and social constructivist approach) is addressed. The gender variable is questioned from the perspective of Gender Studies and a critical feminist approach is taken. The hypotheses are tested through a secondary data analysis on panel data from students (ages 13-16) in Duisburg (Germany). The results show that many methodological issues are confirmed. The established gender difference that boys exceed girls in physical aggressive behaviour can be found in the present data as well, but the difference is small to medium in size. Primarily attitudes towards violence and aggressive offences, as well as prevalence and incidence of aggressive offences during the last year were analysed. In 80% of the cases the difference was significant and boys were more aggressive. However, the sexes were more similar than different in all cases and gender only accounts for a small percentage of explained variance. In the multivariate analysis direct effects of gender on aggression decrease but do not disappear when controlled for other variables. Aggression is stable over time and gender differences increase as the students grow older. Altogether the relevance of methodological issues is confirmed and the risks of an inflated difference perspective are discussed.