Final answer:
Commonly shared beliefs about males' and females' abilities and behaviors are termed B) gender roles, determined by societal norms and learned through socialization, which often lead to gender inequality through stereotypes and societal expectations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Commonly shared beliefs about males' and females' abilities, personality traits, and behaviors are termed gender roles. This concept is based on societal norms, which dictate how men and women are expected to look and behave.
These roles are created by society and often lead to expectations that boys and girls will adhere to culturally dictated behaviors from a very young age. For instance, masculine roles in U.S. culture are associated with strength and dominance, while feminine roles often emphasize nurturing and subordination.
Gender roles are learned through socialization, a process that influences individuals to conform to societal values, beliefs, and attitudes. Stereotypes, which are oversimplified notions about the traits of men and women, play a substantial role in the formation of these roles.
For example, gender stereotyping might promote the belief that females are too timid to participate in activities considered masculine, such as riding a motorcycle. This conflates societal expectations with personal abilities and can lead to persistent gender inequality.
Societal norms of gender are not biological inheritances but are taught and learned behaviors that form the basis of sexism when used to judge individuals unfairly.