Gender identity disorder Flashcards
What is gender identity disorder?
External sexual characteristics of the body are perceived as the opposite to the psychological experience of oneself.
How many people does GID roughly affect?
1 in 5000
How is GID shown in children?
By playing with toys stereotypically associated with the opposite gender or dressing in clothes of the opposite gender
Does GID usually persist into puberty or just occur in childhood?
It usually does not continue after puberty
What can GID lead to feelings of?
Feelings of depression
Self harm
Suicide
What is the treatment for GID?
Masculinising or feminising hormones
Gender reassignment after
Since 2000, how many gender reassignment treatments have the NHS performed?
Over 850
What does SLT say about GID?
GID is learned through being rewarded for exhibiting cross-gender behaviours
What role do parents play in GID according to the SLT?
The parents reinforce the condition by praising them for their cross-gender behaviour
How does SLT say that GID is learned?
Through observation, imitation and modelling of others who exhibit cross-gender behaviours
What is the genetic explanation for GID?
GID is an inherited abnormality
What is the biochemical explanation for GID?
Believe that hormone imbalances in foetal growth in the womb and during early childhood cause GID
How can the genetic and biochemical explanations combine?
Hormone imbalances may be influenced by genetics
What is gene profiling?
Used to investigate GID
Identifies genetic material in those with the condition
What do gene variants of androgen receptors do?
Influences the action of testosterone and is involved in masculinisation of the brain
What do twin studies assess?
The inheritability of GID
What do post mortem studies show?
Structural brain differences in those with GID
What is the hormonal explanation?
In the third month of pregnancy, significant amounts of male hormones surge from newly formed testes. Hormone surges (the same with oestrogen for females) have to occur at the right time in the right amount for masculinisation or feminisation to occur
Why might an effective hormonal surge not occur?
Mother’s disorder in hormonal system
maternal stress
Illness affecting hormone levels
What may happen if the hormone surge does not?
GID may arise
