G - Biological Explanations

Question 1

Describe the role of genes (Chromosomes, H-Y antigen)

Answer 1

C: 2 types (X, Y), differentiation of 2 sexes begins at about 6 weeks of development
H-Y: triggered by the presence of Y chromosome, causes the development of the testes (male reproductive system)

Question 2

Describe the role of hormones (testosterone, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, sex differences in brain)

Answer 2

T: during 3rd month of foetal development, testes produce testosterone - stimulate production of male reproductive system, without this, the embryo develops as a female
AIS: genetic males are insensitive to the male hormones (don’t develop genitalia) - born looking like females, not detected till puberty
Sex Differences: males have a thicker right side of the brain due to testosterone and have better spacial ability, females have a thicker left side and so have better verbal abilities (produce more female hormones - production eventually becomes cyclical), female hormones can explain increased incidence of eating disorders

Question 3

What did Geshwind and Galaburda find?

Answer 3

In prenatal development, the right side develops earlier/is thicker in males and explains why males have better spatial ability - testosterone is a key influence

Question 4

What is a weakness of Geshwin and Galaburda’s findings?

Answer 4

Women can be better at spatial abilities so testosterone/ biology doesn’t explain all differences

Question 5

What did Young find?

Answer 5

Female monkeys exposed to male hormones during pre-natal development engaged in more rough and tumble play than control group - testosterone causes aggression

Question 6

What is a weakness of Young’s study?

Answer 6

Animal study so cannot be generalised to humans

Question 7

What did Ehrdardt and Money find?

Answer 7

Mothers who took male sex hormones to stop uterine bleeding during pregnancy had girls who behaved like tomboys - male sex hormones affect foetal development

Question 8

What is a weakness of Ehrdardt and Money’s study?

Answer 8

Natural experiment - not controlled so may have developed this way without hormones - reduces validity

Question 9

What did the case study of David Reimer (Ehrdardt and Money) show?

Answer 9

Had a sex change after circumsition went wrong and was brought up as a girl, was never happy until he reverted back to female at 14 - shows how genes/hormones determine gender not how they’re brought up

Question 10

What is a weakness of the case study of David Reimer?

Answer 10

Unique case study so cannot generalise