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 (Chapter 1)








• LGBT individuals and individuals with disabilities in media (Chapter 2)








• testosterone testing of female athletes, precarious manhood (Chapter 3)








• raising a gender non-conforming child, impact of social media on body image (Chapter 4)








• gender differences in narcissism and Big Five personality traits, women video-game designers (Chapter 5)








• asexuality, transgender individuals, sexual agency, "Viagra for women" controversy (Chapter 6)








• adoption of frozen embryos controversy (Chapter 7)








• intensive mothering, integrated motherhood, "living apart together", same-sex marriage (Chapter 8)








• single-sex schooling controversy (Chapter 9)








• combat roles opened to U.S. women, managerial derailment (Chapter 10)








• work-hours dilemmas of low-wage workers (Chapter 11)








• feminist health care model, health care for transgender individuals, Affordable Care Act (Chapter 12)








• feminist critique of CDC guidelines on women and drinking (Chapter 13)








• cyberharassment, gendertrolling, campus sexual assault (Chapter 14)








• transnational feminism, men and feminism (Chapter 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 2,200 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.