The Role of Chromosomes and Hormones in Sex and Gender

Question 1

• Hormones:

Answer 1

hormones are chemical substances produced in the body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs.

Question 2

• Testosterone

Answer 2

a hormone produced mainly in the male testes (smaller amounts in the female ovaries).

Question 3

• Oestrogen

Answer 3

primary female hormone important in the development of the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.

Question 4

• Oxytocin:

Answer 4

the ‘love’ hormone produced during labour and stimulates lactation

Question 5

The role of chromosomes

Answer 5

• Chromosomes made from DNA and genes determine characteristics of a living thing.
• All normal eggs have an X chromosome, sperm carries an X or Y chromosome.
• The SRY (sex-determining region Y) is found in the Y chromosome and causes testes to develop into an XY embryo.
• These produce androgens (male sex hormones).

Question 6

The role of hormones

Answer 6

• Most gender development comes from hormones.
• Hormones prenatally act upon brain development and cause development of the reproductive organs.
• Burst of hormonal activity at puberty triggering development of secondary sexual characteristics like pubic hair.
• Primary importance of male development are androgens, widely known as testosterone.

Question 7

the role of Testosterone long defintion

Answer 7

• Male hormone but present in small quantities in women.
• Controls development of male sec organs during fetal development, no testosterone = no male sex organs.
• High levels of testosterone in females during this time, male sex organs may appear.
• High levels of testosterone also linked to aggression because it is adaptive.

Question 8

the role of Oestrogen

Answer 8

• Female hormone that determines female sexual characteristics and menstruation.
• Causes women to experience heightened emotionality and irritability sometimes during menstrual cycle, referred to as premenstrual tension (PMT) or premenstrual syndrome when diagnosed.
• This diagnosis has been used as defence in law cases.

Question 9

Oxytocin

Answer 9

• Lactation stimulating hormone produced much more by women than men due to labour.
• Also reduces stress hormone cortisol and facilitates bonding.
• Released in massive quantities during labour and after childbirth.
• Men producing less propelled the argument that men are less interested in intimacy and closeness within a relationship.
• However, research shows production is in similar amounts during amorous activities like intercourse.

Question 10

evaluation for testorenete

Answer 10

• Evidence supports the role of testosterone.
• Wang et al. (2000) gave 227 hypogonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days.
• Changes in body shape, muscle strength, libido and sexual function were all monitored, and mood, sexual function and libido improved from testosterone replacement.
• Significant increase in muscle strength.
• Study shows that testosterone exerts a powerful influence on male sexual arousal and physical development in adulthood.

Question 11

counterpoint for eval of testosterone

Answer 11

• O’Conner found that in a double-blind placebo study that increased levels of testosterone in young healthy men did not increase interactional or non-interactional components of sexual behaviour in participants significantly.
• No change in aggression or anger levels either.
• Suggests additional testosterone may have no effect on sexual or aggressive behavior.

Question 12

Difficulty observing hormonal effect prenatally

Answer 12

• We cannot investigate and experiment with hormonal changes and influences in the prenatal stages as it is highly unethical.

Question 13

eval for nature vs nurtunr

Answer 13

• Social factors influence development after birth therefore the biological theory is reductionist as it puts all onus on biological factors.
• Geert Hofstede et al. (2010) claims that gender roles around the world are much more a consequence of social norms than biology.
• Notions of masculinity and femininity equated with whether cultures are individualist and collectivist. Countries that place individual competition and independence above community needs are more masculine in their outlook (according to this study). This challenges biological factors and suggests social factors are ultimately more important in shaping gender behaviour and attitudes.

Question 14

eval reductionist and deterministic

Answer 14

• Explanation is biologically reductionist and biologically deterministic
• Trying to explain a complex behaviour (gender) in simple terms of hormones, chromosomes etc.
• Deterministic because it says that people do not have a choice in their gender when genders can change after birth.