Gender: Atypical sex chromosome patterns

Question 1

What does comparing people with typical chromosome patterns and people with atypical chromosome patterns allow us to examine?

2 points

Answer 1

The psychological and behavioural differences between the groups and it may indicate whether its nature or nurture that influences gender development

Question 2

What are the 2 main syndromes that arise from atypical chromosome patterns?

Answer 2

Klinefelter’s syndrome
Turners syndrome

Question 3

What is the atypical chromosome pattern that leads to Klinefelters syndrome?
On average how many males does it affect?

Give 4 physical characteristics of this syndrome

Answer 3

XXY

approxiametely 1 in 600 males

-normal external genitalia but no sperm production
-softening of the body
-lack of facial hair
-some breast development

Question 4

Give two behavioural influences of Klinefelters syndrome

Answer 4

associated with cognitive difficulties and behavioural passivity

Question 5

What is the atypical chromosome pattern for Turners syndrome?

On average how many women does it affect?

Answer 5

XO

approxiametely 1 in 5000 women

Question 6

What are the physical characteristics of Turners syndrome ? ( 4)

Answer 6

-normal external female genitalia
-ovaries fail to develop
-wide neck
-small lower jaw

Question 7

What behavioural influence is Turners syndrome associated with?

Answer 7

high levels of verbal skills

Question 8

Give a strength of research into the influence of atypical chromosome patterns on gender development?

Answer 8

+practical apps , it allows people with the conditions to access treatments , as well as possibly leading to an early diagnosis which may lead to more positive treatment outcomes

Question 9

Give two weaknesses of research into the influence of atypical chromosome patterns on gender development?

Answer 9

-samples used involve very unique individuals which makes the samples very unrepresentative of the general population , therefore its difficult to generalise these findings to gender development in individuals with typical chromosome patterns

-its unclear whether nature or nurture is the cause of any differences between typical/atypical individuals , although its likely to be due to genetics , those with atypical chromosome patterns are likely to have been treated differently throughout life (bullied) so this may account for any behavioural differences