Sex Flashcards
Organizational effects
Permanent
Occurs early and development
During critical period
(EG: Puberty)
Activational effects
Not Permanent
Occur throughout life
Can be turned on/off
(EG: Arousal)
Axes of Sex
Sex chromosomes
Sex hormones
Primary sex characteristics
Secondary sex characteristics
Sex behavior/orientation
Cultural/gender-typical behavior
XXY
Klinefelter syndrome
(Males)
Less muscle and body hair
Gynecomastia
Low testosterone
Gynecomastia
Overdevelopment of breasts in males
XXX
Trisomy X
(Female)
Underdeveloped ovaries
Hypotonia (weak muscle tone)
Weak Coordination
Learning disabilities
XYY
(Male)
Taller than typical
Learning disabilities
Behavioral issues
X
Turner syndrome
(Female)
Ovary failure
Heart abnormalities
Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia (CAH)
Enlarged adrenal glands at birth
Excess exposure to androgens
Exists in chromosomal females, and less often in chromosomal males
Masculin Females
(large clitoris, sometimes labia, stereotypically, male behavior, excess body hair, taller, faster growing, increased gynephilia)
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
(AIS)
Inability to respond to androgens
Organizational effects
Internal testes
Feminine Males
CAIS: Complete Androgen Insensitivity
How would different hormonal states affect sexual interest?
In males
Increased testosterone leads to higher sexual interest
In females (not on contraceptives)
During the ovulatory stage, there is higher sexual interest
Hormones that increase include:
Luteinizing hormone
Follicle-stimulating hormone
In females (on contraceptives)
During the menstrual stage, there is higher sexual interest
Hormones that increase include:
Progesterone
Estradiol
Differences in Male and Female Brains
Males tend to have larger brains (because they have larger bodies). Males can sometimes have lagrer hippocampus.
