Gender Flashcards
Define sex
Refers to an individuals biological status as either male or female, determined by sex chromosomes
Define Gender
An individuals psychosocial status as either masculine or feminine.
What is ‘gender dysphoria’?
When an individuals biological sex and gender identity don’t correspond
Name some role stereotypes for male and females
Male:
-Puts up shelves
-Commitment phobic
-breadwinner
Female:
-Poor driver
-Prepares food
-Remembers birthdays
What is a sex role stereotype?
A set of beliefs and preconcieved ideas about what is expected or appropriate for men and women in society
Define Androgyny
Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in ones personality.
What is the ‘Androgynous Hypothesis’?
Claims that ‘androgynous individuals were psychologically healthier than sex typed individuals such as masculine men and feminine women.
What is the two dimensional view of gender?
Constantinople:
Challenged the one dimensional view of gender by suggesting that a person can be high or low in masculinity and femininity simultaneously.
What is the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)?
-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
Outline Bem’s study
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.
Evaluate Bem’s sex Role Inventory
- 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.
How many chromosomes does each person have?
46
23 pairs
23rd pair determines bio sex.
What chromosomes do males and females have?
Male= XY
Female= XX
Does the egg or sperm determine the baby’s sex, and why?
Sperm
Y chromosomes carry the ‘sex determining region Y’ which causes the testes to develop an XY embryo
What are androgens?
Male sex hormones
What is a hormone?
A biological substance that circulates in the blood but only effects the target organs
Chromosomes determine sex, but what determines development?
Hormones
Hormones can effect the body prenatally and in puberty, explain how
Prenatally: Hormones act on the brain development and development of reproductive organs
Puberty: hormones cause secondary sexual characteristics e.g pubic hair
What is testosterone’s role in sex development?
-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.
What is Oestrogen’s role in sex development?
-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
What is Oxytocin’s role in sex development?
-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
What are the 3 hormones involved in sex development?
-Testosterone
-Oestrogen
-Oxytocin
Evaluate Hormones and chromosomes
+ 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.
What are the 2 atypical chromosome patterns?
-Klinefelter’s syndrome
-Turner’s syndrome