Chromosomes And Hormones

Question 1

What are the role of chromosomes?

Answer 1

• Made from DNA, 46 chromosomes in 23 pairs the 23rd pair determining sex
• XX for females XY for men
• Eggs have an X chromosome and sperm carries either X or Y
• Y chromosome caries a gene called ‘sex determining region’ or SRY
• SRY causes testes to develop I XY chromosome, produce androgens

Question 2

What are the role of hormones?

Answer 2

• most gender development comes about through the influence of hormones
• in the womb hormones act on brain development and reproductive organ development
• puberty - burst of hormonal activity triggers development of secondary sexual characteristics
• Same hormones in different concentrations (primary importance in male development are androgens e.g testosterone)

Question 3

What is testosterone?

Answer 3

• male hormone, small quantities in women
• controls development of male sex organs in womb
• high levels of testosterone are also linked to aggression because it is adaptive
• evolutionary explanation states that aggression allows men to compete for fertile females also the fact that men are more likely to take hunter role with success

Question 4

What is Oestrogen?

Answer 4

• Female hormone determines menstruation and female sexual characteristics
• causes heightened emotionality during menstrual cycle (premenstrual tension or syndrome when these effects become a diagnosable disorder
• PMS has been used (successfully) as a defence for shoplifting/murder
• some researchers do not see it as a viable medical category

Question 5

What is Oxytocin?

Answer 5

• women produce it in larger amounts than men, especially when giving birth, stimulates lactation and reduces cortisol ‘love hormone’
• released in massive quantities during labour and childbirth, the fact that men produce less of it has been used to fuelled stereotype that men are less interested in intimacy and closeness in a relationship
• evidence suggest both sexes produce oxytocin in roughly equal amounts during kissing or sexual intercourse

Question 6

What is evidence that supports the role of sex hormones in gender development even in mature males?

Answer 6

• (male hypogonadism is caused by mans testes failing to produce testosterone) Wang gave 227 hypogonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days improved muscle strength, sexual function, mood and libido monitored) improved
• Shows testosterone is even influential in adulthood

Question 7

How does this ignore social factors?

Answer 7

• ignored influence of societal factors
• Hofstede claimed gender roles are much more of a consequence of social norms than biology. Equated notions of masculinity and femininity to individualist/collectivist culture with individualist cultured being more masculine
• contradictory research

Question 8

How is this biologically reductionist?

Answer 8

• ignored influence of though processes such as schema that are not adequately explained by the biological model, also psychodynamic points to the importance of childhood experiences
• gender is more complex than biological influences alone