AO3

Cards (7)

  • Simpson et al found that behavioural and language difficulties resulting from having Klinefelter's syndrome could be successfully treated with androgen therapy - testosterone supplements, psychological counselling. This supports the idea that some of the detrimental effecs of KS can be successfully counteracted.
  • Demonstrates how atypical chromosome patterns have important effects on both sex and gender
  • Reimer case, being raised a female due to botched circumcision had strong male gender identity suggesting biological factors are crucial in the development of gender
  • Although KS and TS originate directly from variations in chromosome patterns, some effects are more environmental in nature eg they look different and are likely to be treated poorly by others, which may muddy the water when trying to distinguish between the contributions of nature and nurture to different behaviours
  • KS and TS can be diagnosed prenatally, but regarded ethically as a socially sensitive area, as diagnosis may incur a demand for abortions 
  • The comparison of people with typical and atypical chromosome paterns allows researchers to see what aspect of biological development and behaviour are under the influence of genetics and chromosomes
  • Caution should be used when drawing conclusions from such an unusual and unrepresentative sample - the main issue is the lack of generalisability from atypical individuals to the wider population