Gender Flashcards

Question

The role of hormones: - what does gender development come about through? - what do the hormones in the womb act upon and cause? - what happens at puberty? (give an example) - what do males and female produce many of the same of? but what's the catch? - what's the primary importance in male development? (give an example)

Answer 1

- the influence of hormones - act upon brain development and cause development of reproductive organs - a burst of hormonal activity triggers development of secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. pubic hair) - hormones but in different concentrations - the development of a number of hormones called androgens (e.g. testosterone)

Answer 2

1. Testosterone 2. Oestrogen 3. Oxytocin

Answer 3

- A male hormone - yes, in small quantities - controls development of male sex organs during foetal development - no male sex organs appear - male sex organs may appear - aggression because it is adaptive and allows males to compete for the opportunity to mate with a fertile female

Answer 4

- A female hormone - determines female sexual characteristics and menstruation - causes women to experience heightened emotionality and irritability during their menstrual cycle - referred to as PMT or PMS when these effects become a diagnosable disorder - some researchers dispute the existence of PMS as a viable medical category

Answer 5

- women in much larger amounts than men - a result of giving birth - stimulates lactation making it possible for mothers to breastfeed their children - the stress hormone cortisol - facilitates bonding - referred to as the 'love hormone' - massive quantities - makes mothers feel 'in love' with their baby - the stereotype that men are less interested in intimacy and closeness within a relationship - suggests that both sexes produce oxytocin in roughly equal amounts during sexual activities like kissing & sexual intercourse

Answer 6

Their is a link between increased testosterone & sexual behaviour - Male hypogonadism= condition caused by man's testes failing to produce normal levels of male sex hormone, testosterone PROCEDURE: - Wang et al gave 227 hypogonadal men testosterone therapy for 180 days - changes in body shape, muscle strength, sexual function and libido (sex drive) all monitored across the period RESULTS: - Testosterone replacement improved sexual function, libido and mood, and significant increases in muscle strength were observed within the sample - study shows that testosterone exerts a powerful and direct influence on male sexual arousal, as well as physical development, in adulthood

Answer 7

- Double-blind, placebo study - O'Connor et al PROCEDURE: - Increased testosterone levels in healthy young men RESULTS: - no significant increases in the interactional (e.g. frequency of secual intercourse) or non-interactional (e.g. sex-drive) components of sexual behaviour in participants - men involved in study experience no change in their aggression or anger levels during investigation either - suggests that additional testosterone may have no effect on sexual or aggressive behaviour - however, does not challenge role of testosterone in early development

Answer 8

P: They ignore role of social factors in gender-related behaviour E: Hofstede claimed gender roles around world= much more a consequence of social norms than biology E: - researchers believe that masculinity and femininity= whether whole cultures are individualistic or collectivist - Countries that place individual competition & independence above needs of community= more masculine in their outlook (according to Hofstede) (e.g. would include advanced capitalist societies such as US and UK) - meaning traditional masculine traits will be more highly valued within these countries L: - challenges biological explanations of gender behaviour - suggests social factors may be more important in shaping gender behaviour and attitudes

Answer 9

P: Biological explanations of gender are reductionist E: - accounts that reduce gender to level of chromosomes and hormones been accused of ignoring alternative explanations - cognitive approach would draw attention to influence of thought processes (e.g. shema) E: - even though changes in thought processes may come about through maturation of the developing brain, they are not adequately explained by the biological model - In addition, the psychodynamic approach would acknowledge maturation as a factor but point to the importance of childhood experiences such as interaction within the family L: suggests that gender is more complex than its biological influences alone

Answer 10

- An atypical sex chromosome pattern - affects about 1 in 600 males - biological males - with the anatomical appearance of a male - have an additional X chromosome - XXY - diagnosis often comes about accidentally via a medical examination for some unrelated condition

Answer 11

- reduced body hair when compared to an XY male - may be some breast development at puberty - 'softening' or 'rounding' of body contours - individuals with the syndrome tend to have long gangly limbs - underdeveloped genitals - may have problems with coordination & general clumsiness - susceptible to health problems that are usually more commonly found in females (e.g. breast cancer)

Answer 12

- Klinefelter's syndrome linked to poorly developed language skills & reading ability - Individuals tend to be passive , shy and lack interest in sexual activity - Many tend to not respond well to stressful situations - Often may exhibit problems with 'executive functions' such as memory & problem-solving

Answer 13

- approx 1 in 5000 biological females - caused by an absence of one of the two allocated X chromosomes (referred to as XO) - affected individual will have 45 chromosomes rather than the usual 46

Answer 14

- Individuals do not have a menstrual cycle as their ovaries do not develop meaning they are infertile - do not develop breasts and instead have a broad 'shield' chest - Turner's syndrome is associated with low set ears and a 'webbed' neck - high waist-to-hip ratio (hips not bigger than waist) - Adults with Turner's syndrome are physically immature as they tend to retain appearance of prepubescent girls

Answer 15

- higher than average reading ability - performance on spatial, visual memory and mathematical tasks often lower than average - socially immature - trouble relating to their peers - experience difficulty 'fitting in'

Answer 16

P: It contributes to the Nature-Nurture debate E: - comparing people with these syndromes with chromosome-typical individuals= possible to see psychological & behavioural differences between the two groups (e.g. people with Turner's syndrome tend to have higher verbal ability than 'typical girls') E: - logically inferred that these differences have biological basis= so are a direct result of the abnormal chromosomal structure L: supports view that innate 'nature' influences have powerful effect on psychology and behaviour

Answer 17

P: Issues with jumping to conclusions E: - relationship between atypical chromosomal patterns associated with Klinefelter's & Turner's syndrome and differences in behaviour seen in these people is not casual - environmental and social influences= more responsible for behavioural differences observed e.g. social immaturity seen in females with Turner's syndrome may arise from fact that they are treated 'immaturely' by people around them E: Parents, teachers and others may react to the prepubescent appearance of people with Turner's in a way that encourages immature behaviour - may have indirect impact upon their performance at school L: - shows it could be wrong to assume that psychological and behavioural differences in people with atypical sex chromosome patterns are due to nature

Answer 18

P: Real-world application E: - Australian study of 87 individuals with Klinefelter's syndrome= those identified and treated from very young age experienced significant benefits (e.g. managing the syndrome) compared to those diagnosed in adulthood E: - continued research into atypical sex chromosome patterns= likely to lead to earlier, more accurate diagnosis of Turner's and Klinefelter's syndrome - as well as more positive outcomes in the future L: suggests that increased awareness of atypical chromosome patterns does have useful real-world application

Answer 19

P: There may be a a sampling issue E: - to identify the characteristics of XXY individuals= must identify large number of individuals with same disorder= build a database - then we can see full range of characteristics from mild to severe - In general, only people with severe symptoms are identified= picture of typical symptoms may be distorted E: - Boada et al report that prospective studies (following XXY individuals since birth) have produced a more accurate picture of the characteristics - that many individuals with Klinefelter's syndrome do not experience significant cognitive or psychological problems - many are highly successful academically & in their personal lives L: - suggests that the typical picture of Klinefelter's (and Turner's) syndrome may well be exaggerated

Gender Flashcards

(43 cards)