Gender (AO1)

Question 1

What is the role of chromosomes regarding gender development?

Answer 1

There are 23 pairs which determine various aspects of our characteristics. Last pair determines sex

Question 2

Which sex gets which pair of chromosomes?

Answer 2

Male: XX
Female: XY

Question 3

What’s the difference between chromosomes and hormones?

Answer 3

Whilst chromosomes determine sex initially, hormones are responsible for any gender development later on

Question 4

What is the role of hormone regarding gender development?

Answer 4

• They cause the development of the brain and sexual organs
• This is because during puberty, we experience a burst of hormones which trigger the way in which we develop secondary sexual characteristics like pubic hair

Question 5

What is the role of testosterone? Research?

Answer 5

• Mainly found in males, responsible for the development of male sex organs.
• It’s effects on our behaviour is often analysed, in particular aggression. Female rats who were injected with testosterone became more physically aggressive

Question 6

What is the role of oestrogen? Examples?

Answer 6

• Mainly found in females, responsible for aspects of female development such as menstruation
• Also linked to emotional regulation and higher levels of this = higher emotions
• Examples of this include PMT and PMS which can even be diagnosed as disordered when extreme

Question 7

What is the role of oxytocin?

Answer 7

• Mainly found in women due to its higher level produced during birth.
• Stimulates lactation meaning mothers can breastfeed
• Also reduces the stress hormone cortisol and facilitates parental bonding