AO3

• Studies of atypical individuals give us a better understanding of the nature/nurture debate. There are clear differences between typical and atypical individuals and between individuals with different conditions. It would therefore give support for the biological account of gender as differences in chromosomes and hormones can be used to explain these differences.
• Geschwind (1987) has proposed that during male pre natal development the right side of the brain does indeed develop faster and earlier than the left side. He suggested that the left hemisphere is slowed down especially near the Wernickes area (concerned with language processing). Testosterone is responsible  so it is not surprising that the right side of a male brain is actually thicker than a female brain.
• culture and social influences The Batista family from the Dominican Republic 4 children were born with external female genitalia and raised as girls. The large amounts of testosterone produced during puberty caused their male genitalia to appear externally. They were geneticaly XY, but the external male genitalia had not appeared because of an inherited gene that caused testosterone insensitivity. It is said the'girls' accepted their new male role without any difficulty. It has been suggested that the ease of transition from female to male highlights the importance of culture.
• Batista boys

  This case not only shows how culture can shape gender development in terms of expectations but also illustrates the powerful effects of testosterone (a biological influence).