Atypical gender development

Question 1

gender dysphoria

Answer 1

Condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because theres a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity. Its sometimes known as gender in-congruence

Question 2

Biological explanations

Answer 2

• Genetic factors
• Brain sex theory
• Cross wiring

Question 3

Brain sex theory

Answer 3

• suggests gender dysporhia is caused by specific brain structures that are incompatible with a persons biological sex
• zhou et al (1995) studied bed nucleus of the stria terminalis which is assumed to be fully developed at age 5 and around 40% larger in males than females
• in post mortem studies of 6 male to female transgender individuals, the BSTc was found to be a similar size to that of a typical female brain

Question 4

Genetic factors

Answer 4

Hare et al. (2009) identified a longer variation of the androgen receptor gene in male-to-female transsexuals, which may reduce the effect of testosterone and under-masculinize the brain. Twin studies, such as Coolidge et al. (2002), show a strong genetic component, with 62% of the variance in gender dysphoria attributable to genes and higher concordance rates for gender dysphoria in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins.

Question 5

Cross wiring and phantom limb

Answer 5

Transsexuals may experience a “phantom limb” phenomenon, feeling sensations in genitals they no longer have. Ramachandran (2007) suggested this is due to cross-wiring in the brain, and found that two-thirds of FtM transsexuals reported penile sensations in childhood.

Question 6

social explanantions

Answer 6

• social construction
• GD as a mental illness
• psychoanalytic theory

Question 7

social construction

Answer 7

Gender dysphoria may result from societal gender norms. In cultures with rigid male/female roles, those who don’t fit these expectations may develop gender dysphoria. McClintock (2015) notes that some non-Western cultures accept gender fluidity, suggesting gender is socially constructed. For example, the Sambia of New Guinea recognize individuals born with female-like genitals who later develop male genitalia, calling them “female-then-male.”

Question 8

psychoanalytic theory

Answer 8

Gender dysphoria (GD) may be linked to early unhealthy parent-child relationships. Boys with severe separation anxiety from their mother may internalize her identity, leading to gender confusion later in life. Girls may identify as male due to severe paternal rejection, seeking approval and acceptance.

Question 9

Gender Dysphoria as a mental illness

Answer 9

This places the cause of GD as a result of childhood trauma
Stoller (1973) – GD biological males displayed an overly close relationship with their mothers
Coates et al (1991) – case study of boy who developed GD
Defence reaction to mother’s depression following an abortion
Boy experienced this trauma at age 3
Trauma resulted in cross-gender fantasy to resolve anxiety