Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

Which of the following best defines gender roles?

1. An individual's sexual preference or orientation

2. Patterns of behavior attributed to one's sex

3. Personality traits regardless of sex

4. The biological determinants of male and female

The correct answer is: Patterns of behavior attributed to one's sex

The definition of gender roles is best captured by the characterization of patterns of behavior attributed to one's sex. Gender roles encompass the societal expectations, norms, and behaviors that are traditionally associated with being male or female within a given culture. These roles can dictate how individuals are expected to act, dress, and engage in various social interactions based on their assigned gender. This understanding emphasizes that gender roles are socially constructed ideas rather than strictly biological or individual attributes. They can vary widely between different societies and can change over time as cultural norms evolve. The nature of the other options helps to clarify why this choice is the most appropriate. For instance, sexual preference or orientation pertains to who an individual is attracted to, which is distinct from the behaviors and roles related to gender. Similarly, personality traits can be influenced by a wide range of factors beyond gender and do not inherently describe the societal expectations tied to gender roles. Lastly, biological determinants refer to the physical characteristics that distinguish male and female, but they do not encompass the social constructs and expectations that define gender roles. Therefore, the essence of gender roles is fundamentally about behavior patterns that society assigns to individuals based on their sex.