Biological gender Flashcards
1
Q
How does the biological approach explain gender?
A
- hormones
- evolution
- chromosomes
2
Q
How does testosterone play a role in gender?
A
- testosterone triggered by sry gene making embryo biologically male
- testosterone levels can be responsible fo differences in the brain between men and women
3
Q
How does CAH play a role in gender?
A
- high levels of testosterone exposed to female foetus causing external male genitals and internal female sex organs
- Those raised as girls show behaviour typical of boys
- Some grow up and choose to live as a male
4
Q
How does oestrogen play a role in gender?
A
- determines female sexual characteristics at puberty as well as regulating menstrual cycle
- plays a role in the growth of bones in males
5
Q
How does oxytocin play a role in gender?
A
- released in women after childbirth
- helps mothers feel in love with baby
- stimulates lactation
- reduces cortisol promoting intimacy and love intimacy
6
Q
How does dominant male theory play a role in gender?
A
- In the EEA dominant males who competed for mates usually won and mated
- The genes that made them dominant were passed to next generation
- Qualities were male typical traits (risk taking/aggression)
7
Q
How does division of labour play a role in gender?
A
- Men and women in EEA adapted roles for reproductive success
- Men were hunters and were aggressive and strong to provide for women
- Women father fruit and stayed home to look after offspring making them nurturing and caring
8
Q
How does chromosomes play a role in gender?
A
- Turner’s syndrome
- Women only have one X so don’t develop menstrual cycle, ovaries or breasts
- Most still identify as women but small minority experience gender dysphoria
9
Q
What is the evaluation of the biological approach to explaining gender?
A
- S- Baucom et al study showed that high masculinity scores is linked to high testosterone
- W - Biological approach views gender as being binary when some cultures have third genders
