Role of chromosomes and hormones

• Chromosomes

  sex is decided at conception

  body has 23 pairs of chromosomes, 23rd determines sex

  xx - female xy - male

  SRY gene causes testes to develop in an XY chromosome
• hormones chemical substance found in the blood that regulate the activity of cell or organs

  howromes affect brain development of child in the womb and continue to affect it through life
• testosterone

  mainly in men but women have a little too

  muscle mass and strength , facial and body hair, regulates sex drive, deeper voice, production of sperm

  better moods, lower cognitive empathy, high anger
• oestrogen

  female

  weightgain in hips and breast, menstruation

  mood swings, decreased sex drive, premennstural tension
• oxytocin

  males and females

  triggers labour and release of breast milk

  helps move sperm in males
• Case study of David reimer

  evdience of chromosomal influnece being more powerful than environmental

  despite David being raised as a girl from birth due to a botch circusision leaving him with no penis, he still felt like a male in his teenage years
• a strength is the evidence to support role of sex hormones in gender development even in mature males

  Male hypogonadism is a condition caused by a mans testes failing to produce normal levels of testosterone

  227 of these males were given testosterone therapy for 180 days, changes in body, shape, muscle strength and sexual function for monitored.

  Testosterone improved all of these factors

  however, when testosterone was increased i healthy males there was no changes in these factors

  suggesting additional testosterone may have no effect on sexual or aggressive behaviour
• a limitaio is this biological explanation ignores social factors

  psychologistst claim that gender roles around the world are more a consequence of social norms Han biolog.

  countries that place individual competition and independence above the needs of community are more masculine in the outlook.

  Consequently, traditional masculine traits will be more highly valued within the societies.
• A limitation is the biological explanation is reductionist

  gender and sex is reduced to the level of chromosomes and hormones and ignores alternative exclamations

  The cognitive approach would consider mediational processes which is not adequately explained by the biological explanation

  It’s likely gender is more complex than its biological influence alone