Atypical Gender Development: Biological Explanations

• define atypical gender

  any gender identity that deviates from the typical development of male and female genders
• define gender dysphoria


  psychological gender identity does not match their physiological gender identity
• how does genetics influence gender dysphoria?

  • If the genetic information for gender development deviates from the expected development path, this can result in physical and psychological abnormalities
• how does hormones influence gender dysphoria?

  • Exposure to prenatal hormones determine the masculinisation or feminisation of the foetus, with testosterone being produced if the Y chromosome is detected, and oestrogen continuing to be produced if not.
  • If the foetus is over/underexposed to the appropriate hormones, this can create abnormalities in development and contribute to gender dysphoria.
• how do brain structures influence gender dysphoria?

  • Located in the hypothalamus is an area of the brain that is believed to be responsible for psychological gender identity.
  • The sexually dimorphic nucleus (SDN) was discovered using post-mortem examinations which revealed that this part of the brain was different in size for men and women
  • Post-mortems conducted on transgender individuals have highlighted abnormalities in the brain, with male to female transgender individuals presenting with a female sized BSTc rather than males
• evaluating the biological explanation of gender dysphoria (1)

  • One strength of the role of genetics in gender dysphoria is that it is supported by research. Hare et al. (2009) investigated 112 male to female transgender individuals and discovered genetic variations where androgen receptors were insensitive and/or unresponsive in males with gender dysphoria. They found that this genetic abnormality was evident more often in male to female transgender individuals than in non-transgender males. This supports the role of genetics in the development of gender dysphoria.
• evaluating the biological explanation of gender dysphoria (2)

  • Implications for atypical gender include hormone treatment and surgery. These positive implications have helped many people with gender dysphoria transition to have the physical identity that matches their psychological identity. These treatments provide an opportunity for people to receive help and support. Many people who only seek psychological support for their gender dysphoria are unresponsive, suggesting that the condition is biological and requires physiological intervention.
• evaluating the biological explanation of gender dysphoria (3)

  • The biological approach to understanding gender dysphoria is criticised for not being able to disentangle nature and nurture. The SDN region of the brain implicated in gender dysphoria is not fully developed until approximately five years old. By this age, children have experienced a range of nurturing influences that contribute to gender, so it is impossible to determine which of nature and nurture is the most influential. Therefore, it is not possible to determine cause and effect when it comes to disentangling nature and nurture.
• evaluating the biological explanation of gender dysphoria (4)

  • Viewing gender dysphoria as a biological condition and attributing it to a biological abnormality such as hormones, can be considered socially sensitive. This approach promotes the idea that gender dysphoria is a ‘problem’ and requires medical intervention, which may add to any societal pressure or prejudice already experienced by those affected. On the other hand, diagnosis and possibilities of treatment may reduce the distress associated with dysphoria and may dispel prejudice by those in society who consider it a choice.