A03

• Point: A strength is that evidence supports the role of sex hormones in gender development even in mature males.

  Evidence: For example, Wang (2000) demonstrated the effects of testosterone therapy on hypogonadal men, who are not able to produce normal levels of testosterone.

  Explain: The results showed improvements in sexual function, libido, and mood, along with significant increases in muscle strength.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that testosterone has a powerful and direct influence on male sexual arousal and physical development in adulthood.
• Point: A limitation is that other evidence on the effect of testosterone shows different results.

  Evidence: For example, O'Connor (2004) investigated the effects of increased testosterone levels in healthy young men.

  Explain: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study found no significant increases in sexual behaviour or changes in aggression and anger levels among the participants.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that additional testosterone may have no effect on sexual or aggressive behaviour, though this does not challenge the role of testosterone in early development.
• P: One limitation of biological explanations is that they ignore the role of social factors in gender-related behaviour.

  E: For example, Hofstede (2010) found that gender roles are more influenced by social norms than by biology, such as whether cultures are individualist or collectivist.

  E: For instance, advanced capitalist societies like the US and UK, which emphasise individual competition, are considered more masculine in their outlook.

  L: Therefore, this suggests that social factors may ultimately be more important than biological explanations in shaping gender behaviour and attitudes.
• Point: Another limitation of biological explanations of gender is that they are reductionist.

  Evidence: A focus on chromosomes and hormones overlooks alternative explanations, such as the role of thought processes like schema according to cognitive psychologists.

  Explain: Similarly, the psychodynamic approach emphasises the importance of childhood experiences and family interactions in gender development.

  Link: Therefore, this suggests that biological explanations may be overly simplistic and neglect important psychological and social factors in understanding gender.