Gender

• What is the difference between sex and gender?

  Sex is biological; gender is identity.
• How do chromosomes influence sex?

  They determine hormones and anatomy.

  
• What chromosome pattern is associated with females?

  XX
• What chromosome pattern is associated with males?

  XY
• What does gender refer to?

  Psychological status as masculine or feminine.
• What is a sex-role stereotype?

  Ideas about appropriate behaviors for genders.
• How are sex-role stereotypes developed?

  Through observation and imitation of role models.
• How do media reinforce sex-role stereotypes?

  By promoting gender-specific toys and roles.
• What is androgyny?

  Balance of masculine and feminine traits.
• What is the BSRI?

  A questionnaire measuring androgyny.
• How is the BSRI scored?

  Scores from masculine and feminine traits are averaged.
• What does a score above 4.9 indicate on the BSRI?

  Psychological androgyny.
• Why does Bem argue that androgyny is healthier?

  Androgynous individuals adapt better to situations.
• What is a criticism of the BSRI's validity?

  It relies on self-assessment of gender identity.
• What is a limitation of the biological explanation of gender?

  It is reductionist, ignoring other factors.
• What is the role of the SRY gene?

  It causes testes to develop in XY embryos.
• How do hormones affect gender behavior?

  They influence brain development and characteristics.
• What is testosterone's role in male development?

  Controls development of male sex organs.
• What is PMT?

  Heightened emotionality during the menstrual cycle.
• What does oxytocin do?

  Facilitates bonding and lactation in mothers.
• What is the outcome if a genetic male produces no testosterone?

  No male sex organs will appear.
• What did David Reimer's case illustrate?

  Biological influences on gender identity.
• What did Margaret Mead's research suggest?

  Gender roles vary across cultures.
• What is male hypogonadism?

  A condition of low testosterone production.
• What is a limitation of the BSRI regarding cultural bias?

  It reflects American perceptions of gender.
• What is an atypical sex chromosome pattern?

  Deviation from the usual XX/XY formation.
• What are the implications of atypical sex chromosome patterns?

  They are associated with distinct physical and psychological symptoms.
• What influence does testosterone have on males?

  It influences sexual arousal and physical development
• Why is the biological explanation of gender considered reductionist?

  It reduces gender to chromosomes and hormones
• What does the psychodynamic explanation suggest about gender development?

  It suggests identification with the same-sex parent
• What is a weakness of the psychodynamic explanation of gender?

  It ignores biological and other influencing factors
• What defines atypical sex chromosome patterns?

  • Deviate from XX/XY formation
  • Associated with distinct physical and psychological symptoms
• What is Klinefelter’s syndrome?

  It is an atypical chromosome pattern with XXY
• What percentage of people are affected by Klinefelter’s syndrome?

  1 in 500 to 1 in 1000 people
• What are some physical characteristics of Klinefelter’s syndrome?

  Reduced body hair and underdeveloped genitals
• What psychological characteristics are associated with Klinefelter’s syndrome?

  Poor language skills and lack of sexual interest
• What is Turner’s syndrome?

  It is caused by the absence of one X chromosome
• What are some physical characteristics of Turner’s syndrome?

  No menstrual cycle and underdeveloped breasts
• What psychological characteristics are associated with Turner’s syndrome?

  Higher reading ability and poor spatial skills
• How do atypical chromosome patterns contribute to the nature-nurture debate?

  • Allow comparisons of behaviors in males and females
  • Suggest some behaviors may have a biological basis