Gender Roles Midterm #2 Flashcards
Sexual differentiation
the process of development of the differences between males and females from an undifferentiated zygote.
Stages of sexual dimorphism
- Genetic stage
- inheritance of chromosomes (23 pairs) - Gonadal stage
- development of gonads (glands in which sex cells produced - Hormonal stage
- begins prenatally with secretions of androgens and estrogens by mother in womb
- child’s gonads cause further effects at puberty - Internal genitalia
- development of internal reproductive organs - External genitalia
- development of external reproductive organs
Reproductive system
- see a difference between male vs. female after 3 months
- Wolffian: male
- Mullerian: female
Male development
- Production of androgens
- Testes grow, produce more testosterone, stimulates further development
- Testes produce mullerian inhibiting substance
Female development
- Does not require any surge of hormones
- Wolffian system degenerates
- Mullerian system not inhibited
Sexual Dimorphism “Fairytale”
Assumes that: - biology always predicts gender - human beings come in 2 genders What happens when this goes wrong? - variations in sex chromosomes - variations related to hormones
Intersexuality
- Variations related to chromosomes & hormones (prenatal hormones not consistent with genetic development)
- 1 in 2000 births in US alone
Chromosomal Disorders
- Turner’s Syndrome (X0)
- Triple X Syndrome (XXX)
- Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY)
- XYY Syndrome (XYY)
Turner’s Syndrome
- Only one (X) chromosome on pair 23 (1 in 3000 live births)
- Prenatal develop begins fine; external genitals look female
- Mullerian system degenerates because no estrogen, ovaries do not function; no puberty/infertile
- Many take hormonal supplements and stay women
Triple X Syndrome
Extra “X” chromosome (female is XXX)
- 1 in 1000 females
Effects range from mild to severe
- normal intelligence or developmentally disabled
- cognitive problems common (speech, motor skills)
Also possible to have XXXX or XXXXX
- Very seriously developmentally disables and sterile
Klinefelter Syndrome
“XXY” chromosome
- 1 in 600 males
Male internal and external genitals
- BUT: small testes and cannot produce sperm
- Breasts may develop at puberty, feminine body shape, lack of male-type body hair
Risk for developmental disabilities & gender identity disorder
XYY Syndrome
1 in 1000 males
Other than taller height, no different looking than average male
- Very physically active, learning problems, lowered IQ, mental immaturity
- Genitalia, fertility etc. all normal
Potential issues with aggression?
- XYY men more likely to be in prison than XY men
-BUT perhaps due to developmental disabilities not aggression
- Crimes were no more likely to be violent
Prenatal Hormone Disorders
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome
- Enzyme 5a Reductase Defiency
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Genetic-based malfunction of adrenal glands
- prenatally exposed to high levels of androgens
Males - earlier onset of puberty
Females - male-ish genital, “tomboys”, heterosexual women with female gender identity
Females often have surgery to reduce size of clitoris
- Controversial: may permanently damage clitoral nerves
Insensitivity Androgen Syndrome
XY (male), external genitalia ambiguous
Body cannot respond to androgens, body looks female-ish
- Usually detected because never menstruate or develop pubic hair during puberty
Infertility is common and 2nd sexual characteristics can be ambiguous
Most stay women despite learning they have XY chromosomes because identify as female and “act”/”look” female
Enzyme 5a Reductase Defiency
Prevents XY males from developing male external genitalia
Appear female at birth (ambiguous genitalia though) and usually identified as girls
During puberty, androgens lead to masculine characteristics
- Most make a fairly successful transition to male identity
- About 40% retain female identity
The Endocrine System
the collection of glands of an organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards distant target organs.
Hormones
- Substances released from endocrine glands to circulate through blood stream
- Endocrine system = system with similar function, mechanisms, influence
- Some glands have different/multiple functions (pancreas - digestive enzymes AND hormones)
- Glands may secrete various hormones (steroid hormones produced by the reproductive organs)
Model of Steroid Hormones
Hypothalamus
- Controls many bodily functions (body temperature, thirst)
- Release hormones (specifically gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Model of Steroid Hormones I
Pituitary gland (lies just beneath the hypothalamus
- small (also looks like a chickpea)
Two parts:
- Anterior part s controlled by hypothalamus
- Posterior part is related to the nervous system
GnRH acts on anterior lobe of pituitary, causes it to produce and release:
1. Lutenizing hormone (LH)
2. Follicle stimulation hormone (FSH)
Gonadal Hormones
- 2 main classes are androgens and estrogens (produced by BOTH sexes)
- Men typically produce more androgens than estrogens (most common androgen is testosterone)
- Women typically produce more estrogens than androgens (significant individual variation)
Puberty
the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction.
Boy Sex Characteristics
Primary: - production of sperm - development of penis Secondary: - hair growth in pubic areas, underneath arms, chest, face, shoulders, and back - sweat glands increase production
Girl Sex Characteristics
Primary: - production of eggs - development of breasts Secondary: - hair growth in pubic areas, underneath arms, and a slight amount of facial hair - skin becomes rougher - sweat glands increase production
Puberty & Sexual Feelings
Increase in sexual feelings due to androgens primarily
- If androgen dependent, may explain why social norms suggest “teen” males more interested in sex than teen girls
Pubertal Caveat
The studies considered in the order of pubertal development have been conducted with White adolescent in the West
Ethnic differences in the rates, timing, and order of pubertal events
- Kikuyu culture in Kenya (Worthman, 1987)
- Chinese girls (Lee, Chang, and Chan, 1963)
- African-American girls (Herman-Giddens et al., 1997; 2001)
Gender identity
identifying and accepting the self as male or female
Gender role
behaviours typically associated with males or females
Cognitive Development Theory
Kohlberg’s three stages:
- Acquisition of gender identity (2-3 years)
- Concept of gender stability (by age 4/5)
- Development of gender constancy (6/7 years)
Gender identity
- awareness of self as either male or female
- 2.5 to 3 years old
Gender Stability
- gender does not change over times
- 4 to 5 years old
Gender consitency
- superficial changes in appearance or activities do not alter gender
- 5 to 7 years old
Gender differences
- more pressure on boys to adopt typical gender roles than girls
- Girls develop gender knowledge faster than boys
- children evaluate their own gender more positively than the other gender
Gender socialization
the process of learning the social expectations and attitudes associated with one’s sex.
Gender-role typing
The process by which a child becomes aware of his or her gender and acquires motives, values, and behaviours considered appropriate for members of that se
Gender rules
the rules your parents, teachers and society, religion, media have taught you
- “boys don’t cry”, “girls don’t burp, that’s not lady-like”
Gender dispgoria
expressed lack of acceptance, even hatred of own sex
DSM diagnosis symptoms
- cross-sex behaviours
- cross-sex toy and activity preferences
- cross-sex peer affiliation
- cross-dressing
- stated desire to be the other sex
Transsexual
- want to receive or are receiving hormone treatment and/or sexual reassignment surgery
Transgender
- feel their gender identity does not match their sex
- includes more than just transsexuals
Transvestite/cross-dresser
- dressing in clothes appropriate for other gender
- may just be a sexual fetish
Shifting Expectations
- 1940s: few college women planned to continue a career after marriage
- 1970s: few college women planned to discontinue career after marriage (still anticipated having children, importance of combining family and career)
Glass ceilings
- invisible barriers that limit advancement opportunities for women already in management to advance further
Glass escalator
- men in traditionally “female” occupations tend to advance more quickly than female peers (nursing, elementary schools)
Sticky floors
- obstacles facing women and minorities in advancing to supervisory and management positions (clerks, secretaries, service workers)
Communication and power
Men: negotiations and power
Women: connections and commonality
Sex Role Spillover
- aspects of gender roles affect behaviour in the workplace
- more nurturing or loyal, occupy less powerful positions, sexual at work
Canada Labour Code
- conduct, comment, gesture, contact of a sexual nature
- cause offence, humiliation, or employment/promotion based on sexual condition
4 Essential Conditions (sexual harassment)
- sexually oriented nature?
- conduct unsolicited, undesirable or offensive?
- unwelcome?
- negatively affect the complainant’s work
3 types of sexual harassment
- Quid pro quo (sexual favours for promotion/employment)
- Hostile environment (workplace contains unwanted sexual attention/offensive behaviour)
- Gender harassment (because of gender)
History of the IQ Test
1905: first test created (Simon-Binet)
- women not as intelligent as men
1916: Terman adapts Simon-Binet - Stanford-Binet
- no gender differences
Weschler’s Intelligence Tests
- created tests that assessed verbal and performance skills
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Verbal IQ
- Verbal (vocab, comprehension, information, similarities)
- Working Memory (arithmetic, digit span, letter-number sequencing)
Performance
- Perceptual (picture completion, block design, matrix reasoning)
- Processing speed (digit symbol-coding
-symbol search)
Gender differences with IQ?
- Males more likely to have difficulties with language (dyslexia, reading disabilities, stuttering, speech problems)
- Girls have more rapid acquisition of language
- Girls have many skills earlier than boys
