Chapter 10 Sex and Gender

Quote for the day Man is more courageous, pugnacious, and energetic than woman, and has a more inventive genius….Woman seems to differ from man….chiefly in her greater tenderness and less selfishness. - Darwin, 1936

Some terms Sex = anatomy of male or female Gender identity = inner sense of being male or female Gender role = public image of being male or female that a person presents to others

Intersexuals Those who are neither male nor female, but have both male and female traits Also referred to as hermaphrodites 1-2 in every 1,000 births Three major categories: –True hermaphrodites –Male pseudohermaphrodites –Female pseudohermaphrodites

Sexual Differentiation Prenatal Sexual Differentiation –Embryos are indistinguishable (male/female) in the first few weeks –H-Y antigen, a chemical substance, must be present to create maleness- it triggers production of testes and testosterone If H-Y antigen: Wolffian ducts develop into the epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory duct. If no H-T antigen: Mullerian ducts develop into fallopian tubes, uterus, and inner 2/3rds of vagina.

Development of Internal Sex Organs in a Human Embryo

Undifferentiated External Sex Organs of the Human Embryo and Fetus

Homologous Sex Organs

Sexual Differentiation Prenatal Sexual Differentiation –As the fetus develops, sexual differentiation occurs at three different levels: The internal sexual structures The external genitalia The brain –These developmental processes are controlled by the interaction between: The individual’s genetic blueprint The production of hormones

Abnormalities of Prenatal Differentiation Chromosomal Abnormalities –Turner’s Syndrome –Klinefelter’s Syndrome Hormonal Abnormalities –Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome –Female Adrenogenital Syndrome –DHT-Deficiency

Characteristics of Klinefelter’s Syndrome and Turner’s Syndrome

Ambiguous Sex Characteristics Resulting from Hormone Abnormalities

Males and Females: More Alike or Different? Social Differences –Experts believe differences are due to both innate basic tendencies and socialization into different roles. –Division of labor –Implications for sexuality

Males and Females: More Alike or Different? Social Differences Physical Differences –Brain differences –Hormones –Other physical differences

Some physical difference between men and women

Males and Females: More Alike or Different? Social Differences Physical Differences Cognitive Differences –Verbal skills –Math-based tasks –Visual-spacial

Gender Gaps in Problem Solving

Males and Females: More Alike or Different? Social Differences Physical Differences Cognitive Differences Personality Differences –Communal traits –Agentic traits

Males and Females: More Alike or Different? Social Differences Physical Differences Cognitive Differences Personality Differences Communication Differences –Women use conversation to indicate involvement and signal support –Men tend to talk to preserve independence and negotiate status and position

Gender Roles Theories on why gender roles developed Gender Schema: –Gender identity –Gender stability –Gender constancy

Gender Role Stereotypes in 30 Countries

Gender Roles The Effects of Gender on Sexual Behavior –Oliver & Hyde (1993) summarized 177 studies –Men were more likely to masturbate –Men were much more favorable toward casual sex –Older versus newer studies: gender differences have become smaller

Gender Roles Gender Differences in Sex Drive –A review of the research reveals that the desire for sex is typically stronger for males than for females: Men have a higher sex drive than women Men want sex more often than women. Men masturbate more than women Men find it more difficult to live without sex

Gender Roles Gender Differences in Sex Drive –Erotic Plasticity The degree to which innate sexual responses are shaped and altered by social, cultural, and situational factors. –Promiscuity Men tend to desire more partners –Limitations of Sexual Activity Women are responsible for limiting sexual activity.

Transgender Roles In some culture a third gender exists that is neither male nor female, but a blend: –Byzantine Empire’s eunuchs –Gujarat, India’s hijras –Balkan sworn virgin –North American berdache or two-spirit

Gender Identity The nature versus nurture debate The Case of Bruce/Brenda/David Reimer Pseudohermaphrodites –DHT-deficiency

Gender Identity Disorder Gender dysphoria Transsexuals: When Sex and Gender Identity Don’t Match –Unlike Transvestites –Prevalence: 1:100,000 male; 1:130,000 females –Theoretical explanations –Gender Reassignment