Biological Explanation

Question 1

Chromosomes

Answer 1

46 chromosomes, 23 pairs, 23rd pair determines sex.
XX female
XY male
The Y chromosome has an “SRY” gene causing testosterone to develop in the womb.

Question 2

Hormones

Answer 2

• Shape behaviour and physical characteristics
• prenatal hormones work on brain development and the reproductive system
• a puberty, a secondary burst of hormones occurs (sex characteristics)

Question 3

Oestrogen

Answer 3

controls female sex organs and menstruation. PMT leads to increased emotion, irritability and aggression.

Question 4

Oxytocin

Answer 4

controls lactation and bonding. Women stimulate higher levels than males, explains female need for intimacy.

Question 5

Testosterone (+ an ao3)

Answer 5

controls make sex organ development and linked to aggression in both genders.
AO3: Van de Poll: injected female rats with testosterone, lead to increased aggression.

Question 6

CAH (congenital adrenal hypoplasma)

Answer 6

a rare prenatal condition, increased levels of testosterone in females lead to ambiguous genitalia in newborn girls. Referred to as tomboys.

Question 7

AO3 (positives)

Answer 7

+ Bruce/Brenda: Dr Money: “Theory of neutrality” - believed nurture overrides nature! BUT this case proved nature overrides nurture for our gender.

+ Van Goozen: Male to female transsexuals have low levels of aggression. Female to male transeduals have increased aggression. Demonstrates that testosterone is linked to aggression and “male” behaviour.

Question 8

AO3 (negative)

Answer 8

• Tricker: gave male participants 10 weekly injections of testosterone OR a placebo. NO significant differences were found in behaviour. Suggests that testosterone doesn’t lead to aggression postnatally.
• Deterministic: ignores SLT, the biological approach is 100% nature. There is research to suggest that our sex-related behaviour is caused by observing and imitating role models in our environment. Therefore this explanation cannot explain cultural differences in sex-roles and gender based behaviour. Doesn’t explain changes in today’s society.
• Reductionist: this approach reduces the complexities of gender down to genes, hormones and chromosomes. It ignores any thought processes as well as the influence our environment can have in shaping our behaviour.