1. Gender The biosocial approach to gender development

2. The biosocial approach 1.This approach focuses on the interaction between biological and social factors in explaining gender 2.Biology is the foundation on which social factors are built 3.The inborn traits and characteristics of a newborn baby (including their sex) affect the way that carers behave towards them 4.Therefore carers behave in different ways depending on whether the baby is male or female 5.The child’s gender identity is therefore consistent with the way that the child has been raised, and how they are raised is usually subtly different for boys and girls

3. The biosocial approach Answer the following questions for each child: 1.Formation of the 23 rd pair of chromosomes: 2.Hormones produced at puberty: 3.Reproductive organs: 4.Describe how their bedroom may be decorated: 5.What kind of toys are likely to be bought for them? 6. What words are likely to be used to describe them? 7. What games might their parents play with them? MollyJarad

4. Example of a relevant IDA The Point: The theory falls mainly on the _____________ side of the __________ ____________ debate Explain the Point: This is because the explanation is presuming that gender is caused largely by … So What? This could be considered a strength of the approach as it is a less rigid approach to gender in comparison to the genes and hormones explanation, for example, and suggests that gender behaviour can be influenced by the environment. This could lead to less… However, we must also consider that the theory largely ignores evidence that suggests…

5. The Point: The theory falls mainly on the nurture side of the nature - nurture debate Explain the Point: This is because the explanation is presuming that gender is caused largely by … The way others react to the child, based on its physical characteristics, rather than focusing on the way the child’s biology may directly affect its behaviour So What? This could be considered a strength of the approach as… This could lead to less… Sex role stereotyping, from parents and society However, we must also consider that the theory largely ignores evidence that suggests… Gender behaviour is strongly influenced by genes and hormones, for example the David Reimer case study.

6. Wider evaluation Benefits of biosocial explanation: Why is this explanation more appealing than a purely biological one? Deterministic – why is this beneficial? Any other strengths? Problems with biosocial explanation: Does this explanation take on board the complexity of gender? Why might this be a problem – what is not being taken into consideration?