Gender Flashcards
Sex
The biological differences between males and females including chromosomes, hormones and anatomy
Gender
The psychological, social and cultural differences between boys/men and girls/women including attitudes, behaviours and social roles.
Sex-Role Stereotypes
A set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for men and women in a given society or social group.
Gender dysphoria
a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity.
Androgyny
Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality.
Bem Sex Role Inventory
The first systematic attempt to measure androgyny using a rating scale of 60 traits (20 masculine, 20 feminine and 20 neutral) to produce scores across two dimensions: masculinity- femininity and androgynous-undifferentiated.
Androgyny - Quantitative approach
Measured quantitatively, Janet Spence (1984) argues that there is more to gender than a set of behaviours typical of one gender or the other, so qualitative methods offer a better way of analysing gender.
Androgyny - Valid and Reliable
BSRI appeared to be a valid and reliable way of measuring androgyny. A follow-up study involving a smaller sample of the same students produced similar scores when the students were tested a month later, demonstrating test-retest reliability.
Androgyny - Valid and Reliable Counterpoint
The BSRI was developed over 40 years ago and behaviours that are regarded as ‘typical’ and ‘acceptable’ in relation to gender have changed significantly since then. In addition, the scale was devised using people all from the United States. Notions of maleness and femaleness in this country may not be shared across all cultures and societies.
Androgyny - Self-Awareness
One limitation of the BSRI is that people may not have insight into their degree of masculinity, femininity or androgyny.
a questionnaire relies on people having an understanding of their personality and behaviour that they may not necessarily have. Gender is a social construct which may be more open to interpretation.
Chromosomes
Found in the nucleus of living cells and carrying information in the form of genes. The 23rd pair of chromosomes determines biological sex.
Hormone
A biochemical substance that circulates in the blood but only affects target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Their effects are very powerful.
Testosterone
A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes (and in smaller amounts in the female ovaries). Associated with aggressiveness.
Oestrogen
The primary female hormone playing an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.
Oxytocin
A hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation.
Role of Chromosomes and hormones - Evidence of testosterone
evidence supports the role of sex hormones in gender development even in mature males. The link between increased testosterone and sexual behaviour was confirmed in a study by Christina Wang et al. (2000). Wang et al. gave 227 hypogonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days. Changes in body shape, muscle strength, sexual function and libido were all monitored across the period. Testosterone replacement improved sexual function, libido and mood, and significant increases in muscle strength were observed within the sample.
Role of Chromosomes and hormones - Evidence of testosterone Counterpoint
In a double-blind, placebo study, O’Connor et al. (2004) increased testosterone levels in healthy young men. There were no significant increases in the interactional or non- interactional components of sexual behaviour in participants.
hypogonadism
a condition caused by a man’s testes failing to produce normal levels of the male sex hormone, testosterone
Role of Chromosomes and hormones - Social Factors ignored
Hofstede et al (2010) claims that gender roles around the world are much more a consequence of social norms than biology. Countries who value independence over community are more likely to be more masculine,
Role of Chromosomes and hormones - Reductionist
ignores alternate explanations, the psychodynamic approach would acknowledge maturation as a factor but point to the importance of childhood experiences.
Ingalhalikar et al (2014)
Scanned the brains of 949 young men and women. Used hi-tech diffusion MRI imaging they mapped the connections between the different parts of the brain. The researchers discovered that women’s brains have far better connections between the left and right sides of the brain. While men’s brain display more intense activity within the brains individual parts especially the cerebellum which controls motor skills.
Popular stereotypes
Female : child carer, poor drivers, loves shopping
Men : settle arguments with their fists, leave the toilet seat up, breadwinner in the family
Children signs of being trans
Have anxiety, has depression , are rejected by their peer group and feel isolated, have disgust with their own genitals
Adult signs of being trans
Feel isolated, dress in a way that is typical of the opposite sex, wish to get rid of their own genitals.
Atypical sex chromosome patterns
sex chromosome pattern that deviates from the usual XX/XY formation and which tends to be associated with a distinct pattern of physical and psychological symptoms
Klinefelter’s syndrome
A syndrome affecting males in which an individual’s genotype has an extra X chromosome, characterised by a tall large thin physique, small infertile testes and enlarged breasts. 1 in 600
Turner’s Syndrome
A chromosomal disorder in which affected women have only one X chromosome, which is denoted as XO, causing developmental abnormalities and infertility. 1 in 5000
Klinefelter’s syndrome physical characteristics
reduced body hair when compared to an XY male. breast development at puberty and softening or body contours. tend to have long gangly limbs, underdeveloped genitals, reduced body hair and may have some problems with coordination and general clumsiness. XXY men susceptible to health problems more commonly found in females.
Physical characteristics of turner’s syndrome
Do not have a menstrual cycle, their ovaries do not develop and thus they are infertile. There is no development of breasts at puberty and instead have a broad chest. There is a high waist to hip ratio in that the hips are not much bigger than the waist. Generally physically immature and tend to retain the appearance of prepubescent girls.
