The role of chromosomes and hormones

Question 1

What are chromosomes?

Answer 1

-DNA and parts of Genes which determines characteristics of living things
-46 in humans (23 pairs)
-Males have XY sex chromosome and females have XX chromosome
-Y chromosome has the Sex determining region Y (SRY)which causes testes to grow in XY embryo

Question 2

What are Hormones?

Answer 2

-Biochemical substance which travels in the blood and effects target organs with very powerful effects.
-e.g. testosterone

Question 3

What is Testosterone?

Answer 3

-Male hormone
-It produces male sex organs during foetal development and without this the organs may not appear
-Linked with aggression as an evolutionary explanation of natural selection as those who are aggressive are more likely to reproduce

Question 4

What is oestrogen?

Answer 4

-Female hormone produced by the ovaries that determines menstruation and female sex characteristics.
-It enables women to experience heightened emotionally and irritability during their menstrual cycle - PMS
-PMS has been used successfully as a defence case of shoplifting and even murder

Question 5

What is oxytocin?

Answer 5

-Love hormone that is
-typically produced more by women than by men as it is produced after childbirth to make a mother connect with their child more
-However, men and women seem to produce same amount of oxytocin during amorous activities (Sexual intercourse)

Question 6

Strengths of Chromosomes and Hormones in Gender

Answer 6

-Evidence for testosterone: evidence supports Role of testosterone in gender development in mature males. Wang et al (2000) confirmed link between testosterone and sexual behaviour. Wang gave 227 hypogonadal ( produce low amounts of test.) testosterone therapy for 180 days. Changes in body shape, muscle strength and sexual libido were all monitored across the period and all increased over the period . This shows testosterone has an effect on male sexual arousal and physical development in adulthood.
-Counter:
double-blind placebo study Daryl O’Connor et al (2004) increased testosterone in healthy young men. No observed difference between interactional and non-interactional components on sexual behaviour. This suggests additional testosterone does not have much effect as an adult.

Question 7

Limitations of chromosomes and Hormones in Gender

Answer 7

-Social factors ignored: Hofstede argues gender norms are more a result of social norms not biology. Researchers equate notions of masculinity and femininity with whether a culture is collectivist or individualist. Individualist = masculine as masculine traits such as competitive and leadership skills are more desirable. Therefore social factors are more important for shaping gender behaviour

-Reductionist: Biological explanations of chromosomes and hormones are often reductionst and ignore alternatives. The cognitive approach would draw attention to thought processes and the schema. GST highlights how people learn gender behaviour by observing their ingroup.