role of chromosomes and hormones

• what is the role of chromosomes in gender development?

  • there are 46 chromosome in human body arranged into 23 pairs
  • the 23rd pair determines biological sex
  • chromosomal structure for females is XX and for males it is XY
  • the egg cell carries X chromosome and and baby will be male if sperm carries Y chromosome and female is sperm carries X chromosome
  • the Y chromos0me carries a gene called SRY which causes testes to develop for XY embryo and produces androgens which are the male sex hormones
  • chromosomes determines a persons sex but gender development comes about through influence of hormones
• what is the role of hormones on gender development?

  • in the womb hormones act on brain development and cause the development of reproductive hormone
  • at puberty a burst of hormonal activity triggers the development of secondary sexual characteristics
• role of testosterone in gender development?

  • male
  • controls development of male sex organs
  • linked to aggression
  • increases muscle mass and sex drive
• role of oestrogen in gender development?

  • female
  • determined female sexual characteristics and menstruation
  • heightened emotionality and irritability during menstruation (PMS)
• what is a strength of the role of hormones in gender development?

  • evidence to support
  • wang et al confirmed link between increased testosterone and sexual behaviour, male hypogonadism - a condition meaning testes fail to produce normal level of testosterone. gave 227 hypogonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days. found changes in body shape, muscle strength, sexual function and libido.
  • shows testosterone exerts powerful influence on male sexual arousal as well as physical development in adulthood
• what is a limitation for role of hormones in gender development?

  • other evidence has failed to find similar results on the effect of testosterone
  • in a double-blind placebo study o'connor et al (2004) increased testosterone levels in health young men. there were no sig. increases in frequency of sexual intercourse or sex-drive in ppts. also experienced no changes in aggression
  • suggests additional testosterone may have no effect on sexual or aggressive behaviour suggesting testosterone is not responsible for male gender characteristics
• what is a limitation for the role of biological

  on gender development?

  • ignore role of social factors in gender-related behaviour
  • gender roles around the world are more of a consequence of social norms than biology, researchers looked at if ideas of masc & fem in different cultures were different, individualistic cultures with emphasis on independence over needs of community were more masculine in outlook, e.g US, traditional masculine traits were more highly valued in these societies
  • challenged biological explanations and social factors may be more important in shaping gender behaviour
• what is a limitation of bio explanations of gender development?

  • biologically reductionist
  • accounts that reduce gender to just chromosomes & hormones accused of ignoring alternative explanations cognitive approach would draw attention to influence of thought processes such as schema, the psychodynamic approach would emphasis the importance of childhood experiences such as interaction within the family
  • suggests that gender is more complex than its biological influences alone