Chromosomes and hormones

• Case study

  David Reimer- suggests that chromosomal influence is more important than environment in gender development.
• Limitations of case studies

  Case studies are unique so it may not be possible to generalise the findings to the wider population about gender development. 
• Animal studies

  Nanne van der Poll et al (1988)- showed that female rats who were injected with testosterone became more masculine in behaviour i.e. more physically and sexually aggressive.
• Animal studies

  Alexander and Hines (2002)- found that vervet monkeys showed sex differences in toy preferences.

  • Males preferred ball/car
  • Females – doll
• Limitation of animal studies

  The findings from animal studies may not be able to extrapolate the findings to humans. 
• Practical applications

  The International Olympics Committee (IOC) used to conduct chromosome based gender verification tests at the Olympics but these were stopped in 2000 as they were deemed unethical and unscientific.
• Contradictory evidence

  Eliot et al (2021)- Data shows that male and female brains are overwhelmingly similar.
• Other explanations

  Social learning theory
• Issues and debates

  Nature