THE ROLE OF CHROMSOMES & HORMONES

Question 1

outline

Answer 1

According to biopsychologists, sex and gender are the same. Behavioural, psychological and social differences between the sexes are the result of chromosomal & hormonal differences in the body.

Question 2

genes

Answer 2

• Genes are short sections of DNA that determine the characteristics of a living thing. Chromosomes are made from DNA and are found in the cell’s nucleus.
• There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human body and the 23rd pair determines the biological sex.
• The chromosomal structure for females is XX, and XY for males.
• A baby’s sex is determined by the sperm that fertilises the egg. The Y chromosome carries a gene called the SRY, causing testes to develop in an embryo. These testes produce androgens (male sex hormones) which cause the embryo to become male.
• Gender development comes about through the influence of hormones. In the womb, hormones cause the development of the reproductive organs (first 11 weeks).

Question 3

male development

Answer 3

• All foetuses have the same undeveloped sex organs. The male development occurs when the
  SRY gene produces a protein- testis determining factor (TDF).
• TDF influences the development of the gonads, they become testes. The testes produce testosterone which triggers the development of external male sex organs

Question 4

Female development

Answer 4

• occurs through the absence of male hormones (SRY) will result in the development of the Mullerian system into female sex organs For example, ovaries.
• Female hormones are mostly oestrogen. Women also typically produce oxytocin in much larger amounts than men.
• Once the testes and ovaries develop they begin to release their own sex hormones

Question 5

One strength is that there is supporting research to illustrate the role of chromosomes and hormones in gender development.

Answer 5

• For example, Dabbs et al studied a prison population and found that offenders with
  the highest levels of testosterone were more likely to commit violent or sexually motivated crimes.
• Similarly, Van Goozen et al found transgender males having oestrogen treatment showed a decrease in aggression and visuo-spatial skills; female to male transgender showed the opposite.
• This is an advantage as this research increases the validity of the explanation as it demonstrates the role of hormones in gender development.
• However, research is only correlational, we do not know whether these biological structures cause these gendered behaviour or whether engaging in such behaviours causes changes in the brain structures.
• Additionally, there is the third variable problem whereby social norms can explain the link between hormones and gendered behaviour.
• Thus, we cannot identify a cause and effect relationship so the theory is more descriptive than explanatory

Question 6

One limitation is that there is opposing research regarding the role of chromosomes and hormones in gender development.

Answer 6

• For example, Tricker et al gave males either 10 weekly injections of testosterone or a placebo and found no significant differences between the conditions in aggression.
• Similarly, Slabbekoorn et al found that hormones had no consistent effect on gender-related behaviour.
• This is a disadvantage as it questions the validity of the explanation.
• Additionally, it’s argued this research highlights that biological explanations of gender development are biologically deterministic as they assume genes/hormones shape behaviour, whereas this evidence suggests otherwise.
• This is a disadvantage as it’s an incomplete explanation as it doesn’t account for all factors. This can create negative implications for people whose sex and gender do not align which is socially sensitive.

Question 7

One limitation of assuming gender development is the result of biology is that it’s a socially sensitive topic.

Answer 7

• Research demonstrating that hormones are responsible for our behaviour has led to the medicalisation of experience i.e. PMS.
• For example, Rodin argues that PMS is a social construction that has been used to medicalise the lives of women by explaining their emotions in terms of biological dysfunction.
• This is a disadvantage as it leads to ethical implications for women where they are stereotyped as irrational which is traditionally not wanted in a strong leader which may result in them being denied promotions in the workplace.
• Furthermore it can also be argued that PMS is an example of gender bias as it over-exaggerates (alpha bias) the differences between men and women.
• It leads to the assumption that female anger is due to hormones whereas male anger is a rational response to external pressure