atypical sex chromosome patterns

Question 1

atypical sex chromosome patterns

Answer 1

any sex chromosome pattern that deviates from the usual XX/XY pattern

Question 2

Klinefelters syndrome

Answer 2

affects 1 in 1000 males
biologically male but have an extra X chromosome
physical characteristics: breast development, rounding of body contours, gnagly limbs, underdeveloped genitals
psychological characteristics: poor language skills, passive and shy

Question 3

Turners syndrome

Answer 3

affects 1 in 5000 females
missing an X chromosome
physical characteristics: no menstrual cycle, underdeveloped breasts, low set ears, webbed neck
psychological characteristics: higher than average reading ability, socially immature

Question 4

evaluation: contributes to the nature/nurture debate

Answer 4

comparing people with these conditions allows us to see psychological differences with a biological basis
would suggest that innate influences have a powerful effect on psychology

Question 5

evaluation: limitation is the environment explanations

Answer 5

the relationship between the abnormalities associated with the syndromes and the differences in behaviour may not be causal
the way people may respond to those with these syndromes may encourage psychological characteristics which may have a direct effect on performance
therefore it’s wrong to assume observed behaviours are caused by nature

Question 6

evaluation: practical application

Answer 6

continued research is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis as Herlihy found that early diagnosis had sig. benefits
suggests that increased awareness of these conditions has practical application