Role of chromosomes and hormones Flashcards
1
Q
Role of chromosomes - Embryo is conceived
A
Everything develops as a female until 6-8 weeks
2
Q
Role of chromosomes - At 6 weeks
A
- Gonads develop
- Male = XY chromosomes - Foetus produces androgens (male sex hormone)
- Female = XX chromosomes - No Y chromosomes so foetus stays the same
- Male = Y chromosome carries a gene called the ‘sex-determining region Y’ or SRY it causes gonads become testes
- Female = Gonads become ovaries - the absence of male hormone results in the development of Mullerian system into female sex organs
3
Q
Role of chromosomes + hormones - Gonads produce hormones
A
- Male = main hormone is testosterone - triggers the development of external male organs
- Female = main hormone is oestrogen - women also produce more oxytocin than men
4
Q
Role of hormones - Hormones affect prenatal brain development
A
- Male = Brain is superior for certain skills e.g visuospatial
- Female = Brain is superior for certain skills e.g verbal skills
5
Q
Role of hormones - hormones affect after birth
A
- Burst of activity at puberty
- Testosterone = Males become more aggressive
- Oestrogen = Female menstruation, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), emotionality
- Oxytocin = The ‘love hormone’ - released in large quantities during labour
6
Q
Role of C+H - evaluation - limitation 1
A
- Social factors ignored
- Individualist countries such as the USA and UK show more masculine traits and value them more
- Challenges biological explanations of gender behaviour and suggests social factors may ultimately be more important in shaping gender behaviour and attitudes
7
Q
Role of C+H - evaluation - limitation 2
A
- Reductionist
- Explanations that reduce gender to the level of C+H have been accused of ignoring alternative explanations
- For example the cognitive approach would look at schema and the psychodynamic approach would look at childhood experiences
- This suggests that gender is more complex than its biological influences alone
