Atypical Gender Development (Social)

Question 1

Outline social explanations for gender dysphoria

Answer 1

They state gender dysphoria is a condition learned via socialisation

Question 2

Outline psychological explanations of gender dysphoria

Answer 2

They’re based on Freudian theory and separation anxiety

Question 3

Explain gender dysphoria in males (psychological)

Answer 3

• Ovesey and Person argue gender dysphoria in males is caused by the child experiencing extreme separation anxiety before gender identity is established
• The child fantasies of a symbiotic fusion with his mother to relieve the anxiety and danger of separation
• The consequences is the child ‘becomes’ the mother by adopting a female gender identity

Question 4

Explain gender dysphoria in females (psychological)

Answer 4

• In the case of FtM individuals, Zucker suggested females idenitified as males due to severe paternal rejection in early childhood.
• Unconsciously, they think if they become males, they might gain acceptance from their father

Question 5

Explain SLT of gender dysphoria

Answer 5

• This theory is based on how cross gender behaviour may be modelled, observed, imitated and learned by children
• Children experience identification with an opposite gender roles models and are reinforced for opposite gender behaviour which leads to gender dysphoria

Question 6

Give evaluation for the social explanation of gender dysphoria (research support)

Answer 6

• Zucker et al investigated 115 boys with concerns about their gender. They found 64% of boys diagnosed with gender dysphoria also had separation anxiety disorder
• This suggests that disordered attachment to a mother may be a factor in gender dysphoria

Question 7

Give evaluation for the social explanation of gender dysphoria (testability)

Answer 7

• Psychoanalytic theory can’t be tested scientifically observed and tested
• There’s no way of testing what goes on in the unconscious (symbiotic fusion) so it can’t be verified if a repressed fantasy that triggers gender dysphoria occurs.
• This means this theory can’t be falsified and then lacks validity

Question 8

Give evaluation for the social explanation of gender dysphoria (challenges to SLT)

Answer 8

• If SLT was accurate the strong, persistent desire to change sex, to undergo surgery and hormone theory shouldn’t coexist with being bullied and discriminated (negative reinforcement)
• Bennett then argues SLT can’t explain this strong belief that the individual is the wrong sex, as negative reinforced should’ve eradicated this belief.
• This indicates that a biological explanation could be more accurate