Biological sex
biological sex characteristics associated with being
male or female
Gender identity
psychological gender perception
Gender expression
the way we outwardly express our gender identity
as masculine and/or feminine
Gender identity as a biological process
typical prenatal differentiation
− 23 pairs of human chromosomes: 22 autosome pairs and 1 sex
chromosome pair
Chromosomal sex
− XX: female
− XY: male
DSS gene on X chromosome
SRY gene on Y chromosome
gonadal sex
ovaries or testes
hormonal sex
ovaries: estrogens
testes: androgens
Internal structures
− Wolffian duct: males
Vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts
− Müllerian duct: females
Fallopian tubes, uterus, and inner third of the vagina
External structures
− Genital tubercle: clitoris or penis
− Labioscrotal swelling: labia or scrotum
Sex differentiation of the brain
− Hypothalamus: small structure in central core of the brain
Controls pituitary gland
Regulates motivated behavior and emotions
− Cerebral hemispheres: left and right sides of cerebrum
− Corpus callosum: broad band of nerve fibers
Connects left and right cerebral hemispheres
Differences in sexual development
− Atypical prenatal differentiation
Intersex: a term describing people who possess biological
attributes of both male and female sexes
Sex chromosome variations
− Turner’s syndrome: XO chromosomes
− Klinefelter’s syndrome: XXY chromosomes
Variations affecting prenatal hormonal processes
− Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)
− Fetally androgenized females
− DHT-deficient males
Treatment of intersex children
− Money’s approach: team chooses gender; physicians usually
provide surgical and/or hormonal treatments
− Follow-up of Money’s cases by Diamond: long-term problems with
surgical reassignment
Diamond treatment: counsel parents according to best guessed
identity, avoid genital-altering surgeries during early years, and
provide quality counseling and information to child and parent
Interactional model acknowledges both biology and experience in
gender development
Nature: biological determinants
− Nurture: social learning and the environment
Relative roles are still unclear
Further research and long-term longitudinal analyses will help
clarify
Transgender variations
Transgender (trans): gender identity differs from what is typical of
the sex assigned at birth
− Androgyny: blending of typical male and female behaviors in one
individual
Transitioning
steps taken by trans people to match appearance to gender identity
− Clothing to gender confirmation surgery
“top” surgery and “bottom” surgery
− Debate on best approaches to any medical intervention with
adolescents
− Outcomes of surgery for adults
Often improvement in psychological well-being and overall
adjustment to life
Sexual orientation of transgender people
− Many trans people identify as heterosexual
− Others identify as gay or prefer more flexible terms
Acceptance and civil rights
Rapid changes in understanding and acceptance
− Rights are advancing on the federal level
− Still significant bias and work to be done
Gender roles
Gender-based stereotypes (North American)
− Males: independent and aggressive
− Females: dependent and submissive
* Recent trend away from strict stereotypes
− Women less entrenched in rigid gender-role stereotypes
How do we learn gender roles?
− Ethnic variations
− Parents
− Peers
− Schools and books
− Media
− Religion
Gender-role expectations
Women are undersexed; men are oversexed
− Men are initiators; women are controllers
− Men are unemotional; women are nurturing and supportive
