The role of chromosomes and hormones Flashcards
What are chromosomes made from?
DNA
What are genes?
short sections of DNA that determine the characteristics of a living thing.
How many chromosomes are in the human body?
46 - 23 pairs - 23rd pair determining biological sex.
What is the chromosomal structure for females and males?
Females = XX
Males = XY
What gene causes testes to develop in an XY embryo?
SRY
What do chromosomes initially dtermine?
a persons sex
What do hormones cause?
the development of reproductive organs
What happens to hormones during puberty?
A burst of hormnal activity which causes the development of secondary sexual characteristics
What is the most widely known androgen in males?
testosterone
What is testosterone?
a male hormone which controls the development of male sex organs during foetal development
What happens if a genetic male produces no testosterone during foetal development?
no male sex organs appear
What happens if a genetic female produces high levels of testosterone?
male sex organs may appear
What are high levels of testosterone linked to?
aggression
What is oestrogen?
a female hormone which determines female sexual characteristics and menstruation
Which sex typically produces more oxytocin?
Females especially when giving birth
What does oxytocin stimulate?
Lactation making it possible for mothers to breastfeed
What does oxytocin reduce?
The stress hormone cortisol and facilitates bonding
What has evidence shown about oxytocin?
That both sexes produce it in roughly equal amounts when kissing and having intercourse.
Evaluation: Evidence supports the role of sex hormones in gender development
- Wang et al gave 227 hypogonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days and changes where monitored. It was shown to improve sexual function as well as muscle strength.
However other evidence is less convincing. Daryl O connor et al increased testosterone in healthy young men showed that there was no significant increases in any behaviour. This suggests additional testosterone to normal adults has no effects on their sexual or aggressive behaviour.
Evaluation: Ignore the role of social factors in gender-related behaviour
This challenges biological explanations and suggests social factors may have greater influence in shaping behaviour.
Evaluation: Reductionist
cognitive approach would argue schemas influence our though process suggesting gender is more complex than its biological influences alone.
