a typical sex chromosome patterns

• Atypical sex chromosome pattern

  Any sex chromosome pattern that deviates from the usual XX/XY formation
• Klinefelter's syndrome


  Chromosomal disorder occurring in males with an extra X sex chromosome (XXY pattern)
• Individuals with Klinefelter's syndrome

  • Have the anatomical appearance of a male
  • Have the same number of X chromosomes as typical females
  • Possess some stereotypically feminine characteristics (e.g. physical characteristics such as reduced body hair and psychological characteristics such as emotional sensitivity)
• Turner's syndrome


  Chromosomal disorder occurring in females who only have one X sex chromosome (XO pattern)
• Females with Turner's syndrome

  • Have the same number of X chromosomes as typical males
  • Possess some stereotypical masculine characteristics (e.g. physical characteristics such as no breast development and psychological characteristics such as social immaturity)
• Research into Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner's syndrome may be gender biased
• The assumed contribution of the research to the nature-nurture debate is based on the idea that there are typical behaviours associated with males and females
• Typical behaviours


  • Turner's individuals are socially immature
  • Klinefelter's individuals are more passive than other boys
• The idea of typical male and female behaviours may be based on stereotypical assumptions rather than fact
• The research appears to exaggerate the differences between genders

  This is a limitation because the research may be alpha biased
• Research into Klinefelter's and Turner's syndrome supports the nature side of the nature vs nurture debate
• Comparing individuals with Klinefelter's and Turner's syndrome to chromosomally-typical individuals


  Establishes psychological and behavioural differences between the two groups
• Findings from the research

  • Females with Turner's syndrome tend to have higher verbal ability and talk more than 'typical' girls
• Differences in behaviour between individuals with Klinefelter's/Turner's syndrome and typical individuals

  Suggests innate influences (nature) have a powerful effect on behaviour
• Innate influences (nature)


  Could explain why males and females behave differently (as they are chromosomally different)
• Research can only demonstrate a correlation between chromosomes and behaviour
• Nurture influences the behaviour equally/more
• Due to physical differences in appearance, individuals with Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner's syndrome


  May be treated differently to typical males and females which may in turn affect their behaviour
• Social immaturity observed in females with Turner's syndrome


  • May arise from the fact that they are treated 'immaturely' by the people around them because of their pre-pubescent appearance
• Treatment of individuals with Klinefelter's and Turner's syndrome


  May lead to their learning and developmental problems
• Research into Klinefelter's and Turner's syndrome has low population validity
• Individuals with atypical chromosome patterns are not representative of the general population
• It is not possible to generalise the results of this research to everyone
• Research into Klinefelter's and Turner's syndrome may not help us understand gender development of everyone