Building a Better Psychological Science of Gender: Reflections on Theory, Research, and Action

Abstract

In this volume, we bring together a number of prominent and emerging feminist scholars to consider the ways in which psychology addresses gender, especially as it moves beyond a simple consideration of gender differences. Springing from work done by a Society for the Psychology of Women (SPW, APA Division 35) Task Force appointed by Stephanie Shields, these chapters represent our best thinking about empirical and theoretical approaches in feminist psychological research, the state of our subdisciplines with regard to gender, and reflections on the challenges and joys of doing feminist research and action in the real world. Throughout these chapters, authors consider the role of power, the intersectionality of identities, and offer recommendations for best practices for people wanting to do feminist psychological research and for finding avenues and audiences both within psychology and more broadly to give that research away in the service of a more equitable society.