Social Explanations GID

• Social explanations for gender identity disorder centre on maladaptive learning experiences and dysfunctional cognitive processes.
• Some psychologists claim the gender identity disorder can be explained by social factors such as reinforcement and role models.
• Gender identity disorder can be explained by reinforcement given by people such as parents or peers.
• In early childhood many children experiment with gender roles as they learn what gender is all about. Positive reinforcement encourages children to adopt gender specific behaviours.
• Some psychologists argue that gender identity disorder could be the result of a lack of suitable same-sex role models. This idea supports the Social Learning Theory (SLT).
• Rekers (1995) found a common feature associated with gender dysphoria in a group of 70 young boys was that they had a lack of male role models.
• Correlational studies do not necessarily imply that the absence of a male role model in early life causes gender identity disorder.
• Gladue (1985) found there was little difference in the hormone levels of males with cross-gender feelings, compared with those who identified as homosexual and those who were heterosexual. This suggests the social factors maybe more influential than hormones.
• Many people with gender identity issues show signs in early childhood, suggesting a social explanation because children are likely to be very responsive to the behaviours of others around them.
• It is plausible to believe that small children could easily be shaped by parental reinforcement and role models, and this could impact on their gender identity.
• One social explanation of gender dysphoria is the idea of social constructionism.
• The social construction perspective argues that gender identity does not reflect underlying biological differences and that these concepts are created by society.
• For individuals who experience gender dysphoria, the gender ‘confusion’ arises because society forces people to be either a man or a woman, and people must act accordingly.
• According to the idea of social construction gender dysphoria is not a pathological condition put more a social phenomenon.
• Not all cultures have two genders, Samoa recognises a 3rd gender; fa’afafine, these people have fluid gender roles that move between male and female ideals.
• Nonbinary classifications of male and female are increasing in number suggesting that gender is culturally constructed.
• Parents with a strong desire for a child of the opposite sex might reinforce gender inappropriate behaviour. For example mothers may praise young boys for wearing girls’ clothing (di Ceglie, 2000).
• Gender identity disorder is a socially sensitive area of research and it could be argued that the social explanations place blame on the families.
• Some social explanations for gender identity disorder include the psychodynamic view, that issues with gender identity are developed because of conflict in childhood.
• Ovesey & Person (1973) emphasise social relationships within the family as the cause of gender dysphoria.
• Ovesey & Person (1973) argue that gender dysphoria in biological males is caused by a boy experiencing extreme separation anxiety before gender identity has been established.
• The explanation by Ovesey & Person (1973) does not provide an argument for gender dysphoria in biological women, as the theory only applies to transgender women.
• Stoller (1973) reported that, in interviews, biological males with gender dysphoria displayed overly close relationships with their mother. This suggests a stronger female identification and more conflicted gender identity in the long term.
• Research has suggested that issues with gender identity could be related to attachment between a mother and child.
• Coates & Person (1985) suggest when a severe form of separation anxiety is found in males, who remain psychologically attached to their mother, they can develop a gender identity to replace the mother.
• According to Coates & Person (1985) to reduce the anxiety associated with gender dysphoria children may imitate their mother by cross-gender behaviour.
• Rekers (1986) found that gender dysphoria in those assigned male at birth is more likely to be associated with the absence of a father figure, not separation from their mother.
• The psychodynamic explanation of gender dysphoria does not provide a comprehensive account.
• It is likely that gender identity disorder is influenced by both biological and social factors.
• Gender identity disorder is intensified during puberty when hormonal changes alongside social and emotional changes are taking place. This would imply there is an interactionist explanation.
• Some individuals who experience gender dysphoria will decide to have gender reassignment surgery.
• A significant proportion of people who experienced gender dysphoria in childhood do not do so as adults. Drummond et al (2008) followed a sample of 25 girls who were all diagnosed with gender dysphoria in childhood, only 12% were still classified when followed up at age 24.