The Role of Chromosomes & Hormones

• What is a gene?

  Short sections of DNA determining characteristics
• What chromosome do all egg cells have?

  All egg cells have an X chromosome
• How does the sperm cell determine the sex of the baby?

  The sperm carries either an X or Y chromosome
• What does the Y chromosome carry?

  The sex-determining region
• What influences most gender development?

  Hormones influence most gender development
• How do hormones affect brain development?

  They act upon brain development and reproductive organs
• What triggers the development of secondary sexual characteristics at puberty?

  Hormonal activity triggers development
• How do male and female hormone levels differ?

  They produce the same hormones in different concentrations
• What is testosterone?

  A hormone from the androgen group
• What role does testosterone play during fetal development?

  It controls the development of male sex organs
• What is linked to high levels of testosterone?

  High levels are linked to aggression
• Why is aggression considered adaptive in males?

  It allows competition for mating opportunities
• What is oestrogen?

  The primary female hormone for sexual characteristics
• What effects does oestrogen have on women during their menstrual cycle?

  It causes heightened emotionality and irritability
• What is oxytocin's role during labor?

  It causes contraction of the uterus
• How does oxytocin facilitate bonding?

  It reduces cortisol and promotes bonding
• Why do women typically produce more oxytocin than men?

  Due to the effects of giving birth
• What stereotype is fueled by men's lower oxytocin production?

  That men are less interested in intimacy
• What does evidence suggest about oxytocin production during amorous activities?

  Both sexes produce it in equal amounts
• What evidence supports the role of testosterone in sexual behavior?

  • Wang et al (2000) study
  • 227 hypogonodal men given testosterone therapy
  • Monitored body shape, muscle strength, sexual function, libido
  • Significant improvements observed
• What did O’Conner et al (2004) find regarding testosterone levels in healthy young men?

  No significant increases in sexual behavior were observed
• What does O’Conner et al (2004) suggest about additional testosterone?

  It may have no effect on sexual behavior
• What do Hofstede et al (2010) claim about gender roles?

  • Gender roles influenced by social norms
  • Individual competition leads to more masculine traits
  • Advanced capitalist societies value traditional masculine traits
• What are the criticisms of reductionist accounts of gender?

  • Ignore alternative explanations
  • Cognitive approach emphasizes thought processes
  • Psychodynamic approach highlights childhood experiences
  • Gender is more complex than biological influences
• What is a strength for the Role of Chromosomes & Hormones?

  Evidence for Testosterone

  • The link between increased testosterone and sexual behaviour was confirmed by Wang et al (2000), in which she gave 227 hypogonodal men testosterone therapy for 180 days
  • Changes in body shape, muscle strength, sexual function and libido were all monitored across the period, in which significant improvement were observed
  • This study shows that testosterone exerts a powerful and direct influence on male sexual arousal as well as physical development in adulthood
• What is a limitation for the Role of Chromosomes & Hormones?

  No Effect

  • O’Conner et al (2004) increased testosterone levels in healthy young men, in which there were no significant increases in the interactional or non-interactional components of sexual behaviour in participants
  • The men involved in the study experienced no change in their aggression or anger levels during the investigation either
  • 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
• What is a limitation for the Role of Chromosomes & Hormones?

  Social Factors Ignored

  • Hofstede et al (2010) claim that gender roles around the world are much a consequence of social norms than biology
  • According to Hofstede et al (2010), countries that place individual competition and independence above the needs of the community are more masculine, including advanced capitalist societies, explaining why traditional masculine traits are more highly valued in those societies
  • This challenges biological explanations of gender behaviour and suggests social factors may ultimately be more important in shaping gender behaviour and attitudes
• What is a limitation for the Role of Chromosomes & Hormones?

  Reductionist

  • Accounts that reduce gender to the level of chromosomes and hormones have been accused of ignoring alternative explanations
  • The cognitive approach draws attention to the influence of thought processes, as well as the psychodynamic approach points to the importance of childhood experiences
  • This suggests that gender is more complex than its biological influences alone