Atypical Gender Development

• What does DSM 5 classify Gender Dysphoria (GD) as?

  A condition of mismatch between biological sex and gender identity
• Which gender is more affected by GD?

  Males
• What is the estimated prevalence of individuals receiving treatment for GD?

  1 in 4000
• What are early indications of GD in children?

  • Unhappiness wearing clothes of biological sex
  • Preference for gender inappropriate toys
• What percentage of people report a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity?

  1 in 200
• How do many individuals with GD identify themselves?

  As transgender
• What surgical option may individuals with GD consider?

  Gender reassignment surgery
• What are the criteria for diagnosing GD?

  1. Affects ability to function in daily life
  2. Not related to physical intersex conditions
  3. Strong discomfort with biological sex
  4. Ongoing identification with the opposite sex
• How does GD meet the criteria for abnormality?

  It meets all definitions of abnormality
• What are the biological explanations for GD?

  1. Genetics
  2. Brain Sex Theory
  3. Cross Wiring
• What genetic difference did Hare find in M to F transsexuals?

  A difference in the androgen receptor gene
• What hormonal effect might the genetic difference lead to?

  Reduction in male hormone testosterone
• What did Heylens find regarding MZ and DZ twins?

  39% of MZ twins, 0% of DZ twins had GD
• What does Brain Sex Theory suggest about gender identity?

  It is encoded in the brain during fetal development
• What is the BSTc and its significance in GD?

  It is larger in men than women
• What did Zhou find regarding the BSTc in transsexuals?

  It is smaller in male to female transsexuals
• How is GD compared to phantom limb syndrome?

  It is thought to involve cross-wiring in the brain
• What proportion of female to male transsexuals report feeling like they have a penis?

  2/3rds
• What are the socio-psychological explanations for GD?

  1. Psychodynamic
  2. Cognitive
• What does the psychodynamic explanation suggest about GD development?

  It results from unresolved Oedipal and Electra conflicts
• How might separation anxiety affect male to female transgender individuals?

  It may cause them to fantasize about fusion with their mother
• What alternative explanation does Recker provide for GD?

  Absence of a father figure
• What might lead females to males in GD according to psychodynamic theory?

  Paternal rejection in early childhood
• What did Zucker find regarding boys diagnosed with GD?

  64% also had separation anxiety disorder
• What are some criticisms of the explanations for GD?

  • MZ twins treated differently than DZ twins
  • Psychodynamic theory is untestable
  • Biological explanations are overly reductionist
  • Socially sensitive and potentially stigmatizing