Gender Genes and hormones

Atypical Sex Chromosomal Patterns Homework Atypical Sex Chromosomal Patterns

Objectives To be able to apply knowledge of BSRI and androgyny to exam questions. To be able to outline and evaluate the role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender. To be able to discuss the nature and nurture debate in terms of gender development.

Androgny Complete the PEEL evaluation points Complete the essay plan

Chromosomes and hormones In pairs, number yourself 1 and 2 1. The role of chromosomes 2. The role of hormones Sum up the content in 5 sentences

Individually: Role of chromosomes: knowledge test 1. What are chromosomes made from? 2. Define Genes? 3. How many chromosomes are there in the human body? 4. Which pair determines biological sex? 5. The chromosomal structure in females is? 6. The chromosomal structure in males is? 7. Which chromosome does an egg cell produce? 8. How is a baby’s sex determined? DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) Short section of DNA that determine the characteristics of a living thing 46 chromosomes arranged in to 23 pairs 23rd XX XY X chromosome By the sperm that fertilises the egg cell

9. The ‘Y’ chromosome carries a gene called. 10 9. The ‘Y’ chromosome carries a gene called? 10. Of importance in male development are a number of hormones called? 11. The most important hormone in male development is? 12. The sexually dimorphic nucleus is… 9. SRY (Sex determining region Y) 10. Androgens 11. Testosterone. 12. twice as large in males compared to females. 13. 14. 15.

Task C

write your answer to these questions: Task D David Reimer Young (1966) Imperato-McGinley (1974) (separate handout) Extension: Alonso and Rosenfield (2002)/White-Traut et al (2009) write your answer to these questions: How does the research support the role of chromosomes and hormones in the development of sex and gender? What are the evaluation points that you drew from the research Go round, add any notes that you have not got on your sheet of paper.

David Reimer Chromosomal influence is more powerful than environment in gender development. The final outcome of David reverting back to a male suggests that biological influences are more important than socialisation. He was always biologically male, with the normal male XY chromosome patterns and his brain would have received normal levels of testosterone during foetal development. Treating him as a girl for many years appeared not to have affected his identity as a male, or he would have stayed in his assigned female role. Evaluation: Case studies: detailed study of a single individual (evidence-based research) Provide insight into complex interaction of many factors . Insights overlooked by other methods are likely to be identified. However, difficult to generalise. Each has unique characteristics. Shows support for Gender being biologically determined

Young (1966) 1. suggests that hormones like testosterone had a key role in determining gender behaviour (support biological basis for gender) 2. Evaluation: extent to which results can be generalised to humans: debatable. The physiology of humans and animals, especially in terms of brain functioning is very different and human development and behaviour are much more subjective to social and cultural factors. Unethical: Study has to be justifiable in terms of a cost-benefit analysis.

Imperato-McGinley (1974) What does the case study suggest about the biological influences on gender development Complex and unpredictable combination of genes, hormones, sex of rearing and socialisation – gender can be argued to be partly biologically determined but experience, personal qualities and socialisation also have a key role. It can be suggested that the ease of transition from female to male highlights the importance of culture. In a community prepared to accept more fluidity in gender roles it seemed to be relativity easy to move between roles, something that is much more difficult in western culture.

Evaluation (A03) What evaluation points (issues and debates) can be made concerning the role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender? Biological determinism (nature vs. nurture) Biological reductionism  

Determinism: PEEL The biological explanation of chromosomes and hormones argues for gender being biologically determined. The determining influence of chromosomes on gender identity is supported by the case of David Reimer. However, it could be argued that there is an overemphasis on nature. Gender development is in part biologically determined but experience, personal qualities, socialisation and culture also have a key role. For example, it can be suggested that the ease of transition from female to male in Imperato-McGinley (1974) study highlights the importance of culture in gender development. In a community prepared to accept more fluidity in gender roles it seemed to be relativity easy to move between roles, something that is much more difficult in western culture.

Reduction: PEEL example The biological explanation of chromosomes and hormones can be argued to be biologically reductionist. It oversimplifies a complex concept by reducing gender to the level of chromosomes and hormones. Thus by the explanation concentrating only on chromosomes and hormones, it could be accused of ignoring alternative explanations for gender development. The cognitive approach for example would draw attention to the changing thought process that underpin gender development. Even though these may come about by the maturation of the developing brain, the biological model that looks just at chromosomes and hormones does not adequately explain gender. Furthermore, although the biological explanation would acknowledge the important of innate factors in gender development, the psychodynamic approach would also point to the importance of childhood experiences such as interaction with the family.