[G] Gender dysphoria

Question 1

What are the four criteria that must be met in order for someone to be diagnosed with GD?

Answer 1

• long standing and strong identification with opposite gender.
• long standing disquiet about current sex.
• no intersex characteristics.
• significant clinical discomfort or impairment at work or other social situations.

Question 2

How many people are recieving treatment for gender disorders in the UK?

Answer 2

1/4000.

Question 3

What do statistics on transexualism suggest, but why is this not likely to be true?

Answer 3

Statistics suggest that transexualism is rising, when it is likely that it is just becoming more acceptable for people to get help.

Question 4

What does the psychodynamic approach to gender dysphoria suggest?

Answer 4

Difficulties with gender stem from childhood, where during the phallic stage of development identification with an inappropriate role model causes gender issues.

Question 5

What does the psychodynamic approach suggest about crossdressing?

Answer 5

It is a defence mechanism to cope with stress and trauma from childhood.

Question 6

What does the biological approach to gender dysphoria suggest?

Answer 6

GD is a result of abnormal prenatal brain development.

Question 7

What did Swaab find?

Answer 7

In 11 transexuals, the SDN was larger in males that turned into females.

Question 8

What was found to be two times larger in males than in females (the BTSc explanation)?

Answer 8

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

Question 9

What is a problem with the BTSc explanation?

Answer 9

Development of the BTSc is not complete until adulthood, which does not explain why children often feel a transexual desire.

Question 10

What did Kruijiver et al find?

Answer 10

Males have around twice as many somatostatin neurons than women.

Question 11

What are three strengths of the biological approach to gender dysphoria?

Answer 11

1. Much scientific research supports the theory.
2. Focuses exclusively on nature side of debate.
3. Reductionist.

Question 12

What are three weaknesses of the biological approach to gender dysphoria?

Answer 12

1. BTSc cause and effect is difficult to establish.
2. Reductionist.
3. Gender bias on transitioning males.

Question 13

What did Stoller point out?

Answer 13

Certain family conditions are associated with gender dysphoria.

Question 14

Who did Rekers study?

Answer 14

A sample of gender disturbed boys and found that 3/4 of them had no father figure, and where a father was present he was psychologically distant.

Question 15

What else can contribute to gender dysphoria?

Answer 15

Loss of a family member.

Question 16

What is the problem with most of the research surrounding the psychological explanation of gender dysphoria?

Answer 16

It is mostly correlational, and cause and effect cannot be established.

Question 17

What are two strengths of the psychological approach to gender dysphoria?

Answer 17

1. Reductionism allows treatment.

2. Supporting research is great and varied.

Question 18

What are three weaknesses of the psychological approach to gender dysphoria?

Answer 18

1. Gender biased research, excludes females who want to transform.
2. Research is conducted through clinical interviews which could affect results.
3. Research is mostly correlational.