Question

Answer the following question about Julie Nelson’s “The Masculine Mindset of Economic Analysis” (Chronicle of Higher Education 42 (42), June 28, 1996). Be sure to include a citation to the source article. 1. How does the central model of economics view people? What characteristics are contrary to this description? What is the stereotypical gender association of each set of characteristics?

Answer 1

1. The central model of economics consider people as individuals and also say that each individual is engaged in their self-interests and ambitions and free to choose from a set of possible actions to fulfill individual's demands.

Contrary to the central model of economics is that people are dependent on one another and work for the welfare of the entire society. Every individual is influenced by the behavior and actions of others in a society.The characteristics of people such as self interests, self goals, autonomous and rational mentioned in the central model of economics are defined as stereotypical masculinity by Western scholars. The characteristics of people defined in non-central model of economics are cooperative, dependent, emotional and collective are known as stereotypical femininity in English and western cultures.

The stereotype gender associated with central model of economics is masculine or male. The stereotype gender associated with the non-central model of economics is feminine or female.

Source: The Masculine Mindset of Economic Analysis by Julie A. Nelson

(published in The Chronicle of Higher Education 42(42), June 28, 1996, p. B3)