Gender

Question 1

AO3 Evidence for testosterone

role of chromosomes and hormones

Answer 1

Christina Wang et al 2000
Male hypogonadism-not producing normal levels of testosterone

Study:
227 male hypogonadal in testosterone therapy for 180 days. .

Found:
Testosterone significantly increased muscle strength, improved libido, sexual function and mood.

Shows testosterone has a powerful and direct affect on male sexual arousal and physical development. Increases validity of this theory.

Question 2

AO3 Reductionist

role of chromosomes and hormones

Answer 2

Biological explanation of gender may seem reductionist.

Reducing gender to hormones and chromosomes ignores the underlying alternative explanations. Cognitive approach focuses on influence of thought processes such as gender schema. A set of beliefs and expectations related to gender derived from experienced.People’s experiences could be vastly different so the way in which people view gender may be affected by their culture and upbringing, which is a focus of the psychodynamic approach. This explanation acknowledges maturation as a factor but also the importance of childhood experiences such as interaction within the family.

This suggests gender is more complex than its biological influences alone.

Question 3

AO3 Pathologising gender

chromosomes and hormones

Answer 3

Various conditions caused by changes to sex hormones for example PMS. Recognising this as a medical condition means that a person can access treatment on the NHS to try control mood swings and physical symptoms. However commentators such as RODIN 1992 object to the medical catogory of PMS and claim its a social construct not a biological fact. This encourages harmful stereotypes and where women are seen as emotional and irrational.

Suggests benefits of pathologising gender may not be justified if it highlights the negative expectations about women

Question 4

AO3 Atypical sex chromosome pattern

Real work application

Answer 4

Continued research into atypical sex chromosome patterns can lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of turner’s and klinefelter syndromes. As only 10% of people that hsc eklinefelters syndrome are diagnosed.

Australian study of 87 individuals showee those thya had been identified and treated from a young age experienced benefits such as managing their syndrome in comparison to those diagnosed in adult hood.

Suggests increasing awareness has Real-world application

Question 5

AO3 Sampling issue

atypical chromosome pattern

Answer 5

In order to identify XXY and XO individuals, necessary to identify a large number of individuals and build a database. Allowing us to see the full range characteristics from mild to severe. However only those people who have the most severe symptoms are identified and therefore picture of typical symptoms may be distorted.Boada et al 2009 report that prospective studies(following XXY individuals from birth) have produced a more accurate picture of characteristics.

Suggests that the typical picture of klinefelter and turner’s syndrome may be exaggerated.

Question 6

AO3 Nature-nurture debate

Atypical syndrome

Answer 6

Relation ship between atypical chromosomal patterns associated with klinefelter and Turner syndrome and the difference in behaviour seen in these individuals may not be causal. Social influences(nurture) are more responsible rather that nature. Symptoms such as social immaturity may be due to people around them treating them like children. Parents and teachers may react to prepubescent appearance in a way that encourages immaturity which may directly impact performance in school.

Question 7

AO3 Kohlbergs theory

Methodological problems

Answer 7

Methods of assessing gender constancy is unsatisfactory

Bem(1989) critisided the methodology used in studies of link between gender and cognitive development.
Key test of gender contact is whether a child understands that gender stays the same regardless of clothes individual is wearing and context. Bem argued culturally gender is differentiated by clothes, which confuses children when testing for gender constancy. A better way of testing children is by physical differences such as genitalia. Bem found that 40% of children ages 4-5 demonstrated gender constancy if shown a naked photo of a person.

Suggests typical way of tested gender contact may misinterpret what children actually know

Question 8

AO3 Kohlberg’s theory

Research support

Answer 8

Damon(1977) told children about George a boy who liked to play with dolls. Children had to comment on this story. 4 year old said there’s no problem with this. But 6 year old said that George should not have been playing with dolls. They demonstrated gender stereotyping which suggests they were in gender constancy stage. This confirms kohlnerg’s theory that when children develop gender contact they also develop gender appropriate behaviour

Question 9

AO3 Gender schema

Research support

Answer 9

Martin and halverson showed in their study that children are more likely to remember stereotypically gender appropriate gender behaviours, than photos of gender inappropriate behaviours. A week later when asked to recall they changed the gender of person doing a gender inappropriate activity. This provides evidence for gender schema theory which predicted that children under 6 would do this.

Question 10

AO3 Gender schema

Cultural differences

Answer 10

Cherry 2019 aegwuw that gender schemas influence what we believe is a gender appropriate behaviour. Traditional cultures believe that women are meant to be nurturing and men need to pursue a career, children seeing theses gender roles will develop gender schema consistent with this. However in other cultures that don’t have rigid gender boundaries children will develop a mroe fluid genet schema. Martin and halverson theory can explain how gender schema are transmitted between members of a society and how cultural differences come about.