The Role of Chromosomes and Hormones Flashcards Preview

Psychology: Gender > The Role of Chromosomes and Hormones > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Role of Chromosomes and Hormones Deck (14)
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1
Q

What is a chromosome?

A

It’s found in the nucleus of living cells carrying information in the form of genes; the 23rd pair of chromosomes determines biological sex.

2
Q

What is a hormone?

A

A chemical substance circulated in the blood that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.

3
Q

What is testosterone?

A

A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes. It is associated with aggressiveness.

4
Q

What is oestrogen?

A

The primary female hormone, playing an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproductive system

5
Q

What is oxytocin?

A

A hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation.

6
Q

What is the role of chromosomes?

A

Half the sperm carry an X chromosome and half a Y. The Y chromosome carries a gene called the ‘SRY’, this gene cause tests to develop in an XY embryo. These produce androgens; male sex hormones hence causing the embryo to become a male.

7
Q

What is the role of hormones?

A

Most gender development actually comes about through the influence of hormones. Males and females produce many of the same hormones but in different concentrations.

8
Q

What is the evaluation for the role of chromosomes?

A

David Reimer

9
Q

Evaluation point role of chromosomes: David Reimer

A

Free will vs determinism
Reimer was chromosomally male and had testosterone, however the role of chromosomes and hormones prevailed in that it overrode the social factors.

10
Q

What is the evaluation for the role of hormones?

A

James Dabbs, Van Goozen, Tricker, Slabbekoorn

11
Q

Evaluation point role of hormones: James Dabbs

A

James Dabbs found that in a prison population, that offenders with the highest levels of testosterone were more likely to have committed violent or sexually motivated crimes.

12
Q

Evaluation point role of hormones: Van Goozen

A

She studied transgendered individuals who were being injected with hormones of the opposite sex. Transgender women showed decreases in aggression and visuo-spatial awareness whilst men showed the opposite.
This suggests that sex hormones do exert some influence on gender related behaviour.
However small sample.

13
Q

Evaluation point role of hormones: Tricker

A

Tricker gave 43 males an injection of testosterone and a placebo. There was no significance difference found in aggression after 10 weeks.

14
Q

Evaluation point role of hormones: Slabbekoorn

A

Slabbekoorn demonstrated that sex hormones had no consistent effect on gender-related behaviour.