Atypical Gender Development Flashcards
1
Q
atypical gender development
A
- feeling of identification with the opposite sex
- accompanied by discomfort with their biological sex
- the stress associated with GD is why it’s listed on the DSM
2
Q
criteria for GD diagnosis
A
- at least 6 months of consistent explicit expression of wanting to be the opposite gender
- manifested in different ways
3
Q
how is wanting to be the other gender manifested
A
- strong desire to be treated like the other gender
- wanting to dress/behave like the other gender
- active rejection of own gender
- rejection of genitals/envy of other genitals
- expressed fear and anxiety about puberty
4
Q
biological explanations
A
- imbalances of androgens in the womb causes feminisation or masculinisation of the brain
- neurobiological abnormality as a result of genes or prenatal stress
5
Q
hare et al.
A
- trans females have longer androgen receptors repeat lengths than non-trans males
- causes reduced action of testosterone
- can affect gender development in the womb and lead to gender dysphoria
- called under-masculinising the brain
6
Q
genetic factors
A
- hare et al.
- twin studies suggest a strong genetic component
- Coolidge et al: 62% of variance when assessing twin pairs MZ & DZ
7
Q
brain sex theory
A
- assumption male and female brains are wired differently
- trans individuals have the brain of the other
- males have a BSTc 2x as big as females
- Zhou et al.
8
Q
Zhou et al.
A
- studied the brains of non-trans & trans individuals
- trans individuals have the BSTc size/structure of the gender they identify w/ not bio sex
9
Q
cross- wiring and phantom limb
A
- feeling sensations where you’ve lost the limb
- evidence suggests trans may suffer from a phantom phenomena w/ the other genders genitals
- e.g. female having penile sensations
10
Q
Ramachandran 07
A
- phantom limb of genitals caused by cross-wiring in the brain
- found 2/3 FtM trans reported penile sensations in their childhood
11
Q
how is the bio explanation linked together?
A
genetic variation of an androgen gene > masc or fem brain > structure of brain/cross-wiring > gender dysphoria
12
Q
social constructionism
A
- causes gender dysphoria
- most societies force you to be either male or female and behave accordingly
- individuals who don’t ‘fit’ the standard experience dysphoria
13
Q
McClintock 2015
A
- a third gender/gender fluidity is commonly accepted in non-western cultures
- supports the idea gender is socially constructed
- e.g. zambia, new guinea, Batista sisters
14
Q
psychoanalytic theory for males
A
- severe separation anxiety w mother leads to young boys identifying and internalising mother as a way to be close to her
- manifests in overly close relationship with mother, leads to gender confusion in later life
15
Q
psychoanalytic theory for females
A
- young girls identify as male as a result of severe paternal rejection in early life to gain approval and acceptance
