gender Flashcards
sex
the biological differences between males and females including chromosomes, hormones and anatomy
gender
psychological and cultural differences between males and females including attitudes, behaviours and social roles
sex-role stereotypes
a set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a society
gender dysphoria
when an individuals gender does not match their biological sex - so creates feelings of distress or discomfort
binary gender
the notion that there are two genders male and female to match the xx and xy sex chromosomes
gender non-binary
when a person does not identify with a male or female gender - this can be expressed through NB or enby
cisgender
when a person’s gender and their sex are congruent
gender fluid
when a person’s gender moves through the spectrum of male to female or outside of this spectrum
evaluation of sex-role stereotypes
Smith and Lloyd (1978)
- 4 to 6 month old babies who were dressed half the time in boys clothes and half the time in girls clothes
- babies assumed to be ‘boys’ were given a hammer-shaped rattle and encouraged to be adventurous
- babies assumed to be ‘girls’ were handed a cuddly doll
androgyny
a personality type with a combination of masculine and feminine qualities
BSRI
a self-report method to measuring androgyny (Bem Sex Role Inventory)
- uses a 7 point scale
- 60 items: 20 male, 20 female, 20 neutral
four categories of people
- Masculine (high masc, low fem)
- Feminine (low masc, high fem)
- Androgynous (high masc, high fem)
Undifferentiated (low masc, low fem)
strengths of bsri
- self-report method
- produces quantitative and qualitative data
- primary data
- standardised
- test-rest reliability
limitations of bsri
- self-report method
- subjective ratings
- participants may not understand some descriptors
- low temporal validity (1974)
- only four categories
research to support androgyny (serbin)
research has shown that androgyny is associated with positive mental health
research to support androgyny (bem)
research using the BSRI has found that 34% of males and 27% of females are androgynous
chromosomes
found in the nucleus of living cells carrying information in the form of genes
- the 23rd pair determines the biological sex
hormone
a chemical substance circulated in the blood that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs
testosterone
a hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes
oestrogen
the primary female hormone
- plays an important role in the menstrual and reproductive system
oxytocin
a hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation
role of chromosomes in biological sex
women and men have 23 pairs of matched chromosomes in each cell
- the 23rd pair of sex chromosomes are either XY (male) or XX (female)
- control the development of the gonads
- influence hormones produced by each sex
- typical development would mean males develop external sex organs, and females internal
genotype
DNA only
- combination of the chromosomes
phenotype
observable physical characteristics
- combination of the DNA and the environment
role of chromosomes in foetal development
- until eight weeks, all foetus’ are identical (developing with female sex organs as standard)
- the Y chromosome contains the SRY gene, which triggers the production of testosterone which then stops the development of internal sex organs and starts the development of the external sex orans
role of testosterone in biological sex
- produced prenatally
- produced by the gonads, and a small amount by the adrenal gland
- causes the development of external gonads
- responsible for secondary sexual characteristics
- associated with the masculinisation of the brain (the development of brain areas linked to spatial skill, and also linked to competitiveness and aggressiveness)
- increases the thickness of the corpus collosum in rats
evidence to support the role of testosterone (Dabbs et al)
Dabbs et al (1995)
- prison population
- offenders with the highest levels of testosterone were more likely to have committed violent or sexually motivated crimes
evidence to support the role of testosterone (Goozen et al)
Goozen et al (1995)
- transgender individuals who were undergoing hormone treatment
- transgender women shows decreases in aggression and visuo-spatial skills
- transgender males showed the opposite
contradictory evidence against testosterone (Tricker et al)
Tricker et al (1996)
- double-blind study
- 43 males
- given a weekly injection of testosterone or a placebo
- no significant differences in aggression were found after the ten-week period between the two groups
role of oestrogen in biological sex
- produced by the gonads, and a small amount by the adrenal gland
- promotes the development of secondary sexual characteristics
- is involved with the menstrual cycle
- influences emotions and causes PMT
- linked to the production of serotonin
evidence to support the role of oestrogen (Albrecht and Pepe)
Albrecht and Pepe (1997)
- increasing levels in pregnant baboons led to heightened cortisol production
- this assisted the development of organs and tissues in foetuses
- this also led to reduced levels of miscarriage by regulating progesterone levels
the role of oxytocin in biological sex
- produced in the hypothalamus by the pituitary gland
- known as the “love hormone”
- promotes feelings of bonding, calmness and contentment
- oestrogen enhances oxytocin so increases its effects
- testosterone dampens the effects of oxytocin
evidence to support oxytocin (White-Traut et al)
White-Traut et al (2009)
- measured oxytocin levels in saliva produced by females before, during and after breastfeeding
- oxytocin levels were higher immediately before feeding, decreased at initiation of feeding, and rose again 3 minutes after
limitation of the chromosomal and hormonal explanation (nature/nurture)
takes the side of nature
- focuses on biological concepts
- oversimplifies the causes of behaviour and ignores the impact on the environment
strength of the chromosomal and hormonal explanation (application)
practical applications for society
- can help to educate the scientific community about atypical gender development
atypical sex chromosomes
most individuals are born with XX or XY chromosomes, however, some have atypical chromosomes which can lead to atypical sex chromosome conditions`
turner’s syndrome
females only !!!
- caused by the absence of one X chromosome; referred to as XO
- the individual has 45 instead of 46 chromosomes
- affects 1/2200 females
physical characteristics of turner’s syndrome
- no menstrual cycle
- ovaries fail to develop (sterile)
- broad shield chest (no breast development at puberty)
- low set ears
- webbed neck
- the individual is physically immature, and tends to retain the appearance of a pre-pubescent girl
psychological characteristics of turner’s syndrome
- higher than average reading ability
- lower spatial, visual memory
- lower maths skills
- socially immature
- trouble relating to peers
- trouble fitting in
research on turner’s syndrome (Prince et al)
Prince et al (19860
- 156 females with TS
- longitudinal study for 17 years
- females with TS tend to have a shorter than average life span, compared to females without TS