Role of Hormones

• Hormone - Chemical messenger circulated in the blood that controls & regulates cell/organ activity
• How do hormones affect gender development? 


  • Hormone - Chemical messenger circulated in the blood that controls & regulates cell/organ activity
  • Most gender development comes through hormonal influence
  • Hormones act on the brain in the womb causing development of reproductive organs e.g ovaries
  • Adolescence ➳ Hormonal activity triggers development of secondary sexual characteristics e.g pubic hair
  • Males + Females produce many of the same hormones but in diff. concentrations
• What is the role of testosterone in gender development?


  • Begins to be produced at 8 weeks of foetal development
  • Research focuses mainly on testosterones behavioural effects - notably aggression

  Research support: Nanne de Van Poll et al - Female rats injected with testosterone became more physically and sexually aggressive
• What is the Congenital Adrenal Hypothesis (CAH) ?


  • Rare genetic disorder - causes high prenatal levels of male hormone
  • Affects males & females
  • More easily identifiable in new born baby girls who may have ambiguous genitals due to masculising effect of the male hormones

  Research support: Berenbaum & Bailey - found females with CAH are described by family as tomboys, exhibit higher levels of aggression than other girls & show preference for male toys
• What is the role of Oestrogen in gender development?

  • Plays important role on the menstrual cycle and reproductive system
  • Causes some women to experience heightened emotionality and irritability during their menses (PMT) - diagnosed as PMS
  • PMS has successfully been used as a defence in murder/shoplifting cases (e.g Craddock was found guilty of manslaughter and used her PMS as a defence, resulting in progesterone treatment and probation)
• What is the role of Oxytocin in gender development?


  • Causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation
  • Produced more so by women than men
  • Reduces stress hormone cortisol and facilitates bonding - 'love hormone', released in large quantities during and after childbirth
  • Evd. suggests both sexes produce oxytocin in equal amounts during amorous activities e.g, kissing