Gender Identity Disorder

Question 1

Definition of GID

Answer 1

Dysphoria (distress) a person experiences as a result of the sex and gender they were assigned at birth

Question 2

Signs of GID

Answer 2

May refuse to wear gendered clothes or take part in activities
Continuous through child/adulthood
Feeling trapped in body that doesn’t match and intense desire to change

Question 3

How is GID treated?

Answer 3

Individual plan, includes psychological support
Aims to reduce/ remove distress
Could be hormones/ physical appearance change
Reassignment triples in last 8years

Question 4

Change in DSM V classification

Answer 4

Replaces diagnostic name ‘GID’ to gender dysphoria
Will have own chapter
- strong desire to be treated as different gender
- rid of physical characteristics
- strong conviction of feeling typical of another gender

Question 5

Genetic explanation

Answer 5

Attention centred on gene variants of the androgen receptor, influences action of testosterone

Question 6

Supporting/ challenging evidence of genetic explanation of GID

Answer 6

Hare: the DNA of mtf transsexuals found more likely to have longer version of androgen receptor (red action of testosterone)
Gladue: found few (if any) differences in gender dysphoric, hetero, homos men/ similar results in women

Question 7

Biochemical is explanation of GID

Answer 7

Sig amounts of male hormones secreted from testes during 3rd month of pregnancy and again after birth; crucial for masculinisation
May be infl by hormone levels in womb, Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome or mothers disorder

Question 8

Brain- sex theory of transsexualism

Answer 8

Perhaps trans brains do not match genetic sex, implication of the brain’s BSTc in the thalamus (generally twice as large in hetero male than female)

Question 9

Supporting/ challenging evidence of brain sex theory of transsexualism

Answer 9

Zhou- no of neurones in bstc of mtf transsexuals was similar to that found in female brain and bstc of ftm transsexuals was more similar in size of male
Chung- noted change only develops in adulthood- may be effect rather than cause

Question 10

Learning theory of GID

Answer 10

Operant conditioning: reinforced for exhibiting cross gender behaviour, assumed parents reinforce condition by encouraging and complimenting for such behaviour

Question 11

Social learningbtheo in

Answer 11

Disorder may be learned by observation and imitation of individuals modelling cross gender behaviour

Question 12

Supporting/ challenging studies of learning theory to GID

Answer 12

Rekers: 70 gender dysphoric boys there was more evidence of social rather than biological factors; common factor being lack of stereo male model
Bennett: SLT explains development but not the strength of GID beliefs eg resistance despite therapy or want to change

Question 13

Mental illness and GID

Answer 13

May be linked to childhood trauma or difficult upbringing

Question 14

Supporting/ challenging studies of mental illness and GID

Answer 14

Coates: reported case study of boy with GID, had sig trauma following mother’s depression after an abortion that led to cross gender fantasy
Cole: in 435 with GID, range of psychiatric conditions was no greater than a ‘normal’ group

Question 15

Parental relationships

Answer 15

Clinical interviews have found boys with GID have overly close mother son relationships
In ftm transsexuals; females id as male to gain acceptance after severe paternal rejection

Question 16

Ethical issues

Answer 16

Exceedingly sensitive area, researchers must balance need to provide treatment with research interest
Social consequence for individuals represented by research eg of biological cause is identified may lead to more acceptance as ‘not their fault’, but makes people believe can be treated