Biological approach for gender development

Question 1

Name one assumption of the biological gender approach.

Answer 1

Gender is determined. Men and women have evolved to suit their roles. Hormones produced determine traits.

Question 2

Name another assumption of the biological gender approach.

Answer 2

Chromosomes play a part in determining behaviour. Females XX, males XY. Could imply that male and female brains develop differently, resulting in different behaviour. Babies show early signs of determining gender e.g. males are more interested in objects whereas females are more interested in faces. When a female comes in contact with male chromosomes in the womb, they grow up to be tomboys from a pre-natal effect.

Question 3

Name another assumption of the biological gender approach.

Answer 3

Dr Money experiment from Diamond and Sigmundson 1997. Nature took control and Brenda wasn’t happy as a girl.

Question 4

Name another assumption of the biological gender approach.

Answer 4

There are atypical chromosome patterns which change behaviour. Klinefelter’s syndrome-XXY. Y causes anatomy to be male and shows importance. Physical changes- undersized penises, long limbs, some breast development. Psychological changes- shy, poor speaking/reading, gender identity confusion. Turner’s syndrome- XO. Female gender identity. Physical changes- webbed neck, short, no breasts, no ovaries. Psychological changes- higher in feminine traits like verbal ability.

Question 5

Evaluation: SLT comparison.

Answer 5

Men and women show different gender related behaviours due to their own experiences. Gender roles are constantly changing and modernising. Exlains different culture’s gender roles.

Question 6

Evaluation: Cognitive.

Answer 6

Biological is too reductionist and don’t explain complex situations. Also too deterministic, it’s unethical to say we have no choice in how we behave. Gender development involves thought processes.

Question 7

Evaluation: Psychodynamic.

Answer 7

Sexual differences do play a large part, however, childhood experiences are very important too. Gender develops within society, not from birth.

Question 8

Evaluation

Answer 8

A lot of hormone research is on animals and therefore may not generalise and may be unethical. As society is modernising, people are developing more androgynous traits which suggests development from society is having an effect. Humans studied are individual cases which may not be representative or reliable if not repeated.