Women's Lives ─ A Psychological Exploration

This cutting-edge and comprehensive fourth edition of Women’s Lives: A Psychological Perspective integrates the most current research and social issues to explore the psychological diversity of girls and women varying in age, ethnicity, social class, nationality, sexual orientation and ableness. Written in an engaging and accessible manner, its use of vignettes, quotes, and numerous pedagogical tools effectively fosters students’ engagement, active learning, critical thinking, and social activism.

New information covered includes: neoliberal feminism, standpoint theory, mujerista psychology (Ch.1); LGBT individuals and individuals with disabilities in media (Ch.2); testosterone testing of female athletes, precarious manhood (Ch.3); raising a gender non-conforming child; impact of social media on body image (Ch.4); gender differences in narcissism and Big Five personality traits, women video-game designers (Ch.5); asexuality, transgender individuals, sexual agency, "Viagra for women" controversy (Ch.6); adoption of frozen embryos controversy (Ch.7); intensive mothering, integrated motherhood, "living apart together", same-sex marriage (Ch.8); single-sex schooling controversy (Ch.9); combat roles opened to U.S. women, managerial derailment (Ch.10); work-hours dilemmas of low-wage workers (Ch.11); feminist health care model, health care for transgender individuals, Affordable Care Act (Ch.12); feminist critique of CDC guidelines on women and drinking (Ch13); cyberharassment, gendertrolling, campus sexual assault (Ch.14); transnational feminism, men and feminism (Ch.15).

Women’s Lives stands apart from other texts on the psychology of women because it embeds within each topical chapter a lifespan approach and robust coverage of the impact of social, cultural, and economic factors in shaping women’s lives around the world. It provides extensive information on women with disabilities, middle-aged and older women, and women in transnational contexts. Its up-to-date coverage reflects current scientific and social developments, including over 2200 new references. This edition also adds several new boxed features for student engagement. In The News boxes present current, often controversial, news items to get students thinking critically about real-life applications of course topics. Get Involved boxes encourage students to actively participate in the research process. What You Can Do boxes give students applied activities to promote a more egalitarian society. Learn About the Research boxes expose students to a variety of research methods and highlight the importance of diversity in research samples by including studies of underrepresented groups.

Claire A. Etaugh, Caterpillar Professor of Psychology at Bradley University, has taught Psychology of Women for 35 years. Her research on gender has been published in several journals including Psychology of Women Quarterly, Sex Roles, Developmental Psychology, and Journal of Marriage and Family.

Judith S. Bridges, Professor Emerita of Psychology at the University of Connecticut, taught Psychology of Women courses for many years. Her research on women and gender has been published in Psychology of Women Quarterly and Sex Roles.