The role of chromosomes and hormones - AO3

Question 1

What is a strength of hormones?

and counterpoint

Answer 1

• P: Strength = evidence to support the role of testosterone
• E: Wang et al (2000): Gave 227 hypergonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days
• E: Testosterone replacement improved sexual function, libido and mood significantly increased msucle strength in sample
• L: Testosterone exerts powerful and direct influence on male sexual and phsyical behaviour

COUNTERPOINT:

• O’ Conner et al (2004): increasing testosterone did not increase other components
• Has no other additional effects on behaviour

Question 2

What are two limitations of hormones and chromosomes?

Answer 2

• P: Limitation = biological accounts ignore social factors
• E: Hofstede et al (2010): Claims gender roles are more about social factors than biology
• E: Countries that value competition and independence aboce community (individualist), e.g UK, US are more masculine and feminine traits more valued in collectivist cultures
• L: Challenges biological explanations of gender behaviour and suggests social factors may be ultimately be more important in shaping gender behaviour

‎

• P: Limitation = biological explanations are reductionist
• E: Accounts that reduce gender to the level of chromosomes and hormones exclude alternative explanations
• E: Cogntive explanations inculde the influence of schema. Psychodynamic explanations inculde the importance of childhood experiences alone
• L: Gender is more complex than its biological influence alone

Question 3

What is a PECS of hormones?

limitation

Answer 3

• P: Limitation = pathologising gender
• E: PMS is an medical condition caused by fluctuating hormone levels. A diagnosis means a person can access treatment on the NHS to control symptoms
• C: Some see PMS as a social construct not a biological fact, encourages stereotype of “irrational women” affects how women are treated (Rodin 1992)
• S: Benefits of treatment may not be justified because enhancing negative expectations about women may damage their equal rights in the workplace