Gender

Question 1

Define sex

Answer 1

Refers to an individuals biological status as either male or female, determined by sex chromosomes

Question 2

Define Gender

Answer 2

An individuals psychosocial status as either masculine or feminine.

Question 3

What is ‘gender dysphoria’?

Answer 3

When an individuals biological sex and gender identity don’t correspond

Question 4

Name some role stereotypes for male and females

Answer 4

Male:
-Puts up shelves
-Commitment phobic
-breadwinner

Female:
-Poor driver
-Prepares food
-Remembers birthdays

Question 5

What is a sex role stereotype?

Answer 5

A set of beliefs and preconcieved ideas about what is expected or appropriate for men and women in society

Question 6

Define Androgyny

Answer 6

Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in ones personality.

Question 7

What is the ‘Androgynous Hypothesis’?

Answer 7

Claims that ‘androgynous individuals were psychologically healthier than sex typed individuals such as masculine men and feminine women.

Question 8

What is the two dimensional view of gender?

Answer 8

Constantinople:

Challenged the one dimensional view of gender by suggesting that a person can be high or low in masculinity and femininity simultaneously.

Question 9

What is the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)?

Answer 9

-Measures androgyny.
-Test included a list of 60 items: 20 stereotypically masculine characteristics, 20 feminine, 20 neutral.

4 Categories:
Masculine- High masc, Low fem
Feminine- High fem, Low masc
Androgynous- High both
Undifferentiated- Low both

Question 10

Outline Bem’s study

Answer 10

Aim: to construct an inventory to measure masculinity, femininity, and androgyny.

Method: 50 male, 50 female judges rated 200 traits for how desirable they were for men and women. 20 traits were chose for each.

Feminine e.g.: compassion, sympathy, warmth
Masculine e.g.: ambition, aggression, athletic

Conclusion: Men scored higher on masculine traits and vice versa. More people were androgynous, psychologically healthier.

Question 11

Evaluate Bem’s sex Role Inventory

Answer 11

• Lacks temporal validity: the inventory was developed almost 50 years ago, behaviours and how acceptable they are have changed significantly.
• People may not have an insight into their degree of masc, fem, or androgyny. Self report questionnaire, need an understanding , and is quite subjective for each person.
• Is reliable and valid: inventory was piloted with 1000 students- results corresponded with P’s own beliefs of their gender identity, valid. Same results found in a follow-up study.

Question 12

How many chromosomes does each person have?

Answer 12

46
23 pairs

23rd pair determines bio sex.

Question 13

What chromosomes do males and females have?

Answer 13

Male= XY
Female= XX

Question 14

Does the egg or sperm determine the baby’s sex, and why?

Answer 14

Sperm

Y chromosomes carry the ‘sex determining region Y’ which causes the testes to develop an XY embryo

Question 15

What are androgens?

Answer 15

Male sex hormones

Question 16

What is a hormone?

Answer 16

A biological substance that circulates in the blood but only effects the target organs

Question 17

Chromosomes determine sex, but what determines development?

Answer 17

Hormones

Question 18

Hormones can effect the body prenatally and in puberty, explain how

Answer 18

Prenatally: Hormones act on the brain development and development of reproductive organs

Puberty: hormones cause secondary sexual characteristics e.g pubic hair

Question 19

What is testosterone’s role in sex development?

Answer 19

-Male hormone, present in women in small quantities
-During foetal development it is responsible for the development of sex organs
-Evolutionary terms, high levels is linked to aggression, males compete for fertile females.

Question 20

What is Oestrogen’s role in sex development?

Answer 20

-Female hormone that determines female sexual characteristics and menstruation cycles.
-Can cause hightened levels of emotionality and irribility during menstrual cycle.
-Leads to PMS- Premenstrual syndrome, or premenstrual tension, PMT

Question 21

What is Oxytocin’s role in sex development?

Answer 21

-Typically women produce this in higher levels than men, after birth.
-Stimulates lactation, meaning breastfeeding is possible
-Reduces effect of cortisol (stress hormone), facilitates bonding
-Released greatly after birth
-Men produce less

Question 22

What are the 3 hormones involved in sex development?

Answer 22

-Testosterone
-Oestrogen
-Oxytocin

Question 23

Evaluate Hormones and chromosomes

Answer 23

+ Evidence supports role of sex hormones in gender development even in mature males:
Males with hypogonadism fail to produce normal levels of testosterone, in a study where they were given testosterone, improved sex function and muscle strength.

• Biological accounts ignore role of social factors in gender related behaviour: Geert Hofstede et al. claims gender roles are a consequence of social norms. Countries that place individual needs above the community have a more masculine approach, so these traits are more valued in their society.
• Reductionist: levels of chromosomes in biology, may be ignoring alternative explanations such as the psychodynamic or cognitive approaches. gender is more complex than just biology.

Question 24

What are the 2 atypical chromosome patterns?

Answer 24

-Klinefelter’s syndrome
-Turner’s syndrome

Question 25

Briefly outline what Klinefelter’s syndrome is

Answer 25

Males have an additional X chromosome, so XXY

-Affects 1 in 600 males
-10% of cases are identified prenatally

Question 26

What are some physical characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 26

-Reduced body hair
-Breast development
-Long limbs
-Infertility

Question 27

What are some psychological characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 27

-Lack of interest in sexual activity
-Poorly developed language and speech skills

Question 28

Briefly outline what Turner’s syndrome is

Answer 28

The absence of the X chromosome in females, so XO.

-Affects 1 in 5000 females

Question 29

What are some physical characteristics of Turner’s syndrome?

Answer 29

-Don’t develop ovaries or menstruate
-Broad chests, no breasts
-Low set ears
-Webbed neck
-Infertility

Question 30

What are some psychological characteristics of Turner’s syndrome?

Answer 30

-Socially immature
-Higher than average reading ability
-Low spatial ability

Question 31

What is the diagnosis and treatment for Klinefelter’s syndrome?

Answer 31

Diagnosis- Testosterone levels, sperm count

Treatment- Testosterone therapy

Question 32

What is the diagnosis and treatment for Turner’s syndrome?

Answer 32

Diagnosis- Amniocentosis

Treatment- Paediatric endrocrinology for hormonal replacement, fertility specialists

Question 33

Evaluate atypical chromosome patterns

Answer 33

+ Contribution to nature VS nurture debate: comparison of people with and without the syndrome shows behavioural and psychological differences, there is a clear biological basis.

+ Real world application for managing symptoms: research leads to more accurate diagnosis. 87 individuals with Klinefelter’s syndrome that had been treated at a young age had significant benefits.

• Sampling issue: To get a database for XXY and XO you need a large number , but only those that have it most severely are identified, so typical symptoms may be distorted.
• May be environmental influences: social immaturity may be due to people treating them in that way, so wrong to just assume its nature.