Gender

Question 1

Describe genetics and hormones in gender developmenT

Answer 1

XX, XY
XY–> Y is the SRY gene for stimulating the growth of testes.
testosterone- sex hormone, linked to aggression (Young et al. Female rates given testosterone = more aggressive)
Oestrogen- female sex hormone involved in the mentraul cycle. Nurturing behaviours
Oxytocin- love hormone. Released when mother is breastfeeding and in labour to form attachments and bonds to infants. (Evolutionary help)

Question 2

Atypical gender development

Answer 2

klinefelter’s syndrome- XXY.
Physical characteristics: very tall, rounded contours of the body, wide hips.
Psychological: poor linguistic ability. Shy and timid. Passive.

Turner’s syndrome- XO
Physical characteristics: look very young, webbed neck,
Psychological: socially immature, higher than ever age reading ability. Poor Visuo-spatial ability.

Question 3

Describe androgyny and how it has been measured

Answer 3

androgyny- the balance between masculine and feminine characteristics.
Investigated by Bem: Bem’s Sex Role Inventory
60 question questionnaire asking about
20 masculine characteristics,
20 feminine characteristics
20 neutral characteristics
Measured on scale from masculine-feminine, androgynous-indifferent

Question 4

Evaluate Bem’s Sex Role Inventory

Answer 4

+quantitative data. Objective measure, strengthens scientific credibility of the inventory.
HOWEVER Spence says gender should be measured qualitatively. Suggests wrong measures taken to assess gender.
+Valid and reliable.
Demonstrated to have high test-retest reliability. High inter-rate reliability.
HOWEVER poor temporal and cultural reliability. Temporal-> gender stereotypes change over time. Cultural-> not all cultures share the same stereotypes of males and females.( Mead- arapesh, tchambuli- different behaviours for males and females than Bem’s 70s American cultural standards.
*come back to do this one

Question 5

Evaluate biological explanations for gender development