Gender

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

Sex is biologically determined
XX: Females
XY: Male

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

Gender is a psychosocial status (nurture)
Masculine/feminine depends on social context

Question 3

Gender dysphoria

Answer 3

Where sex and gender do not correspond

Question 4

Sex role stereotypes

Question 5

Androgynous

Answer 5

Individuals who display roughly equal levels of masculine and feminine traits/behaviours

> Individuals are androgynous are better equipped to adapt to range of situations

Question 6

The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)

Answer 6

• Rating scale
• Rating 60 (scale 1-7)
• 20 masculine, 20 feminine, 20 natural gender traits

Question 7

The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) - Conclusions

Answer 7

High masculine + low feminine = masculine

High feminine + low masculine = feminine

High masculine + high feminine = androgynous

Question 8

Masculine traits

Answer 8

Self reliant
Independent
Mathematically oriented

Question 9

Feminine traits

Answer 9

Cheerful
Affectionate
Better reading skills

Question 10

Androgyny - Strength - Measured Quantitively

Answer 10

Bem’s: quantify dependent variable
Combine with Personal Attribute Questionaire adds another dimension
> Quantitative + qualitative approach

Question 11

Androgyny - Strength - BSRI is valid & reliable

Answer 11

Validity
Development and of scale: 50 males, 50 females judging 200 traits
Piloting with 1000 students

Reliability
Follow up study, smaller sample size
Produced similar scores

Question 12

Androgyny - Counterpoint - BSRI is valid & reliable

Answer 12

Stereotypical ideas of masculinity + feminist changed since BSRI developed (40 years ago)
Lack temporal validity

Question 13

Androgyny - Strength - People may lack insight into their gender identity

Answer 13

Gender is social construct, open to interpretation
Questionnaires scoring system is subjective
May not be scientific

Question 14

Biological Explanation

Answer 14

Sex and gender are inter-related
Gender development is determined at conception

Question 15

Why are Males and Females different?

Answer 15

Chromosomes trigger production of hormones

Hormones -
lead to different behaviours
perform different role in reproduction
Woman: caregivers
Male: main providers

Question 16

Role Of Chromosomes

Answer 16

Made up of DNA

46 chromosomes > 23 pairs
23 pairs are matched for males + females
23rd pair - different
eg: male: XY
female: XX

Question 17

How sex is determined by chromosomal make-up

Answer 17

Normal egg produced: X chromosome

Half sperm: X, other half Y

Babies sex determined by sperm (fertilises egg)

Y: gene sex-determine region Y (SRY)

Produce androgens (male sex hormone)
> cases embryo to become male

Question 18

Role Of Hormones

Answer 18

Gender development comes through development of hormones
Puberty: burst hormonal activity

• Testosterone: controls development of male sex organs
• Oestrogen: controls female sexual characteristics
• Oxytocin: women produce more than then
  > Stimulates lactation
  > Reduces stress

Question 19

Chromosomes & Hormones - Strength - Research support for testosterone

Answer 19

Wang et al: 227 testosterone deficient men, gave testosterone therapy

Improved sexual function, mood and muscle strength

Question 20

Chromosomes & Hormones - Counterpoint - Research support for testosterone

Answer 20

Increasing testosterone in healthy young men, did not increase frequency of sexual intercourse

Question 21

Chromosomes & Hormones - Limitation - ignores social factors

Answer 21

Hofstede et al: gender roles more about social factors than biology

Individualist cultures are more masculine than collectivist cultures

Question 22

Chromosomes & Hormones - Limitation - Reductionist

Answer 22

Reduced gender to chromosomes/hormones
Cognitive explanations: Schemas
Psychodynamic: childhood experiences

Question 23

Atypical chromosomes

Answer 23

Difficult to establish cause and effect (correlational)

Question 24

Turner’s Syndrome

Answer 24

XO (absence of X)
45 rather than 46
1-5000 females

Question 25

Turner's Syndrome - Physical characteristics

Answer 25

No menstrual cycle > Ovaries do not develop Do not develop breasts Short webbed neck Low set ears

Question 26

Turner's Syndrome - Psychological characteristics

Answer 26

Feminine traits: Higher than average reading ability Lower memory + mathematical skills Socially immature

Question 27

Klinefelter's Syndrome

Answer 27

XXY (additional X) 1-600 males Biologically male autonomy

Question 28

Klinefelter's Syndrome - Physical characteristics

Answer 28

Undescended testes Undersized penis Some breast development Little body hair More susceptible to breast cancer

Question 29

Klinefelter's Syndrome - Psychological characteristics

Answer 29

Feminine traits: Don't respond well to stressful situations Lack interest in sexual activity Passive + shy Masculine Traits: Poor language skills Poor reading ability

Question 30

Atypical chromosomes - Strength - Nature-Nurture

Answer 30

Comparing atypical with typical Highlights psychological, behavioural differences Have biological basis, abnormal chromosomes Nature - powerful effect

Question 31

Atypical chromosomes - Counterpoint - Nature-Nurture

Answer 31

Behavioural differences from social influences People with Turner's treated differently, as socially immature Also nurture

Question 32

Atypical chromosomes - Strength - Application to managing conditions

Answer 32

Study: 87 with Klinefelter's syndrome Those identified young, benefitted managing their condition > Increased awareness

Question 33

Atypical chromosomes - Limitation - Sampling issues

Answer 33

Those with serve symptoms on Klinefelter's database Majority of those with Klinefelter's have no cognitive/psychological problems >Klinefelter's syndrome exaggerated

Question 34

Kolhbergs Gender Development Theory

Answer 34

Cognitive theory: child thinking about gender Changes in thinking over time

Question 35

1: Gender Identity

Answer 35

2 years old Identify themselves as boy/girl Identify others as male/female

Question 36

2: Gender Stability

Answer 36

4 years old Gender stays the same over time Can’t apply this to other people/situations

Question 37

3: Gender Constancy

Answer 37

6 Years old Gender remains constant across time/situations Apply to themselves/others Seek gender-appropriate role models

Question 38

When does gender stereotyping occur

Answer 38

Gender Constancy (6 years old)

Question 39

Strengths - Kolhbergs theory

Answer 39

- Research evidence (Damon)

Question 40

Damon

Answer 40

Told story of boy who played with dolls 4 year old: fine 6 year old: wrong

Question 41

Limitations - Kolhbergs theory

Answer 41

- Doesn’t consider other factors - Gender constancy may develop earlier - Ethnocentric