Gender & Sexual Behaviour Flashcards
How is feminisation the default route of development?
It is induced by lack of neonatal androgen (testosterone) not presence of oestrogen.
What can testosterone increase when used for doping?
Muscle development, strength and endurance.
Name the differences in the brain for males and females.
Females - larger hippocampus.
Males - larger amygdala, more sexually dimorphic nucleus in anterior hypothalamus.
Gay men nucleus is 1/2 the size compared to straight men.
What is polygyny and polyandry?
Polygyny - one male, many females.
Polyangry - one female, many males.
What is the top-down version of sexual arousal?
Psychological, sensory, tactile stimulation.
What are erections controlled by?
Parasympathetic nervous system.
Sympathetic nervous system stimulates emission.
Where are orgasms located in the brain?
Medial temporal lobe + basal forebrain.
Decrease in blood flow to left lateral orbitofrontal cortex - behaviour disinhibition?
Which hormones increase pair bonding?
Vasopressin + oxytocin.
Administering these to naturally promiscuous voles does not work - maybe don’t have receptors in the first place?
What happened to rats that were ovariectomised?
Male rats didn’t mate with them.
Loss of oestrogen + progesterone.
Progesterone facilitates the effect of oestrogen on the sexual behaviour of ovariectomised rats.
How do ovulatory shifts affect attractiveness of women?
Miller - lap dancers earned more when they were fertile in their cycle phase.
How much do genes account for variances in same sex sexual behaviour?
8-25%.
Genetic influences of same-sex behaviour in homosexuals is different from those in heterosexuals.
Explain the brain differences in homosexuals compared to heterosexuals.
Smaller SDN in homosexuals.
Smaller anterior hypothalamus in homosexuals + heterosexual women.
What are gametes and gonads?
Gametes - ovum + sperm.
Gonads - glands that make gametes.
What is Turner’s syndrome?
In females - 2nd X chromosome missing/altered.
Oestrogen/progesterone are reduced.
What is Klinefelter’s syndrome?
In females - additional X chromosome XXY.
Not enough testosterone. Increased learning + behavioural difficulties.
