Evaluation

• Evidence for testosterone 


  One strength is that evidence supports the role of sex hormones in gender development:

  • Link between increased testosterone and sexual behaviour was confirmed by Wang et al.
  • 227 hypogonadal men given testosterone therapy for 180 days
  • Improved muscle strength, libido and sexual function
  • Therefore, testosterone exerts a powerful and direct influence on male sexual arousal and physical development
• Counterpoint to evidence of testosterone


  Other evidence is less convincing:

  • In a double-blind placebo test, O'Connor et al. found no significant increase in libido or aggression levels in healthy males
  • Therefore, testosterone therapy man only be useful in hypogonadal clients rather than healthy clients
• Social factors ignored


  One limitation of biological accounts is that they ignore the role of social factors on gender-related behaviour:

  • Hofstede et al. claim that social norms are more significant than biology
  • Individualist cultures are more masculine
  • Therefore, this challenges biological explanations of gender behaviour
• Reductionist approach


  One limitation of biological approaches is that they are reductionist:

  • Biological accounts have been accused of downplaying or ignoring alternative explanations
  • The cognitive approach would mention the influence of schema
  • The psychodynamic approach would acknowledge maturation as a factor and point to the importance of childhood experiences
  • Therefore, gender is more complex than biological processes alone