gender Flashcards
sex and gender
sex chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males).
Chromosomes influence hormonal and anatomical differences
Gonads: ovaries or testes
Gender reflects all the attitudes, behaviours and roles we associate with being M or F
- Gender dysphoria: where sex and gender do not correspond
sex role stereotypes
social expectations -
Sex-role stereotypes are shared by a culture or social group and are society’s expectations = are socially constructed
can lead to sexist attitudes
reserach - sex role stereotypes
Furnham and Farragher
Study of TV adverts
Men were more likely to be shown in autonomous roles in professional contexts, women were seen as occupying familial roles in domestic settings
Shows the existence of sex-role stereotypes and the role of the media in reinforcing them
androgyny
displays roughly equal levels of masculine and feminine traits
better equipped to adapt to a range of situations
BSRI
Self-report method of 60 items on a 7-point scale (1 is never true, 7 always true)
Masculine traits (20): athletic
Feminine traits (20): shy
Neutral gender (20): helpful
High masculine and low feminine scores = masculine
High feminine and low masculine = feminine
High masculine and high feminine = androgynous
Low feminine and low masculine = undifferentiate
BSRI - Strength – gender identity is measured quantitatively
- BEM is useful when it’s necessary to quantify a dependent variable
- But Spence suggests a qualitative approach
- For example, combining different scales – the Personal Attribute Questionnaire (PAQ) adds another dimension (instrumentality and expressivity) to BEM
- Suggests quantitative together with qualitative may be useful or studying aspects of gender identity
Strength – BSRI is both valid and reliable
- Development of the scale involved 50 males and females judging 200 traits in terms of gender desirability – the top 20 were used
- Piloting with students showed it reflected their gender identity
- A follow-up study with the same students a month later showed similar scores = test-retest reliability
BSRI - Limitation – people may lack insight into their gender identity
- Gender is a social construct which may be more open to interpretation than say sex (biological fact)
- The questionnaire’s scoring system is subjective and people’s application of the 7-point scale may differ
- Suggests BSRI may not be a scientific way of assessing gender identity
biological explanations - chromosomes
trigger the production of hormones
DNA: 46– 23 pairs
22 are the same for females and males
23rd pair = females XX, males XY – determines sex
- normal egg cell has an X chromosome. Half the sperm carry an X and half a Y
- sex is determined by the sperm that fertilises the egg
- Y chromosome carries a gene - sex-determining region Y (SRY) – causes testes to develop in XY embryo and androgens (male sex hormones)
biological explanations - horomones
- in the womb – hormones act on brain development and cause the development of reproductive organs
- At puberty, hormonal activity triggers secondary sexual characteristics, such as pubic hairs
testosterone = development of male sex organs, High levels are linked with aggression
oestrogen = female sexual characteristics – menstruation, experience heightened emotionality and irritability – premenstrual syndrome
oxytocin = Women produce it in larger amounts, Stimulated lactation and facilitated bonding
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HORMONES
Sex differences in the structure of the cerebral hemisphere – females develop superior language and emotional skills – males develop superior visual-spatial and mathematical skills
biological explanation - Strength – evidence supports the role of testosterone
- Wang et al – gave hypogonadal men (low levels of testosterone) testosterone therapy for 180 days
- It improved sexual function, libido and mood and significantly increased muscle strength
- = Testosterone exerts a powerful influence on male sexual and physical behaviour
biological explanation - Limitation – ignore social factors
- Hofstede et al – gender roles are more about social factors than biology
- Countries that value competition and independence above community (individualist cultures) are more masculine, these traits are more valued than in collectivist cultures
- Social factors may be more important in shaping gender behaviour
biological explanation - Limitation – reductionist
- Reducing gender to chromosomes and hormones excludes alternative explanations
- Cognitive explanations include the influence of schema – views based on past experiences, e.g. baby clothes
- Psychodynamic explanations include the importance of childhood experiences – Oedipus and Electra complex, identification with mum/dad
atypical chromosomes
Compare people with typical and atypical sex chromosome patterns to determine whether gender is biological
atypical chromosomes - turners syndrome
- XO chromosome structure
- Absence of one of the X = 45 chromosomes
- Affects 1-5000 females
PHYSICAL
* No menstrual cycle as ovaries do not develop
* Do not develop breasts
* Short webbed neck
PSYCHOLOGICAL
* Identify as female – have similar interests and behaviours as biological female
* Higher than average reading ability
* Lower than average spatial ability and math skills
* Socially immature
atypical chromosomes - Klinefelter syndrome
- XXY
- Affects 1-600 males
- Biologically males with male autonomy
PHYSICAL - Undescended testes and undersized penis (less testosterone)
- Some breast development
- Little body hair
- Long limb, clumsy
- susceptible to health problems associated with females
PSYCHOLOGICAL - Lack of interest in sexual activity
- Passive and shy (feminine)
- Poor language skills and reading ability (masculine)
atypical chromosomes -
Strength – contribution to the nature-nurture debate
- Comparing typical and atypical chromosome individuals shows psychological and behavioural differences
- Can infer that these differences have a biological basis and are the result of abnormal chromosomal structure
- Innate ‘nature’ influences have a powerful effect on psychology and behaviour
atypical chromosomes - Limitation – social influences
- Nurture
- Behavioural differences may result from social influences
- Social immaturity in Turner’s maybe because individuals are treated that way due to their immature appearance
- Wrong to assume psychological and behavioural differences in people with atypical chromosome patterns are due to nature
atypical chromosomes -
Strength – application to managing the conditions
- Continues research into atypical patterns leads to earlier and more accurate diagnoses and positive outcomes
- A study of people with Klinefelter’s showed that those identified when young benefitted in terms of managing their condition
- Increased awareness of these conditions had real-world application
