Biological Explanations of Sex and Gender

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Chromosomes
Males and females have different sex chromosomes. Both sexes have 23 pairs of chromosomes. The 23rd pair is what determines sex.
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Female Chromosomes
Females 23rd pair of chromosomes is the ** pattern.
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Male Chromosomes
Males 23rd pair of chromosomes is the XY pattern.
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Atypical Chromosomal Variations
Sometimes there's atypical variations that occur. There is a syndrome for both males and females who may be born with these variations.
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Klinefelter's Syndrome
This is the syndrome where a male is affected by a chromosomal variation that's atypical. The male is born with an XXY chromosome pair.
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Effects of Klinefelter's Syndrome
Psychological effects are language problems, troubles with social interaction and confusion with gender identity. Physical problems may be smaller genitalia, male breast growth, less body hair and less muscles than the average male.
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Turner's Syndrome
This syndrome is caused when a female is born with one X chromosome. This may be due to the other X being incomplete or being missing.
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Effects of Turner's Syndrome
Psychological effects include immaturity, poor spacial ability and poorer math skills than average girls. Physical effects include having low set ears, being short and having a shielded chest.
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Hormones
Hormones also effect how our body and brains function daily. Major male and female specific hormones are androgens and oestrogens. Though both males and females have these present but in different amounts.
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Testosterone
This is produced prenatally and affects development of genitals. This also has an effect on aggression. It's present in men and women but men produce higher amounts of it.
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Oestrogen
This is responsible for starting menstruation and the development of the fetus during pregnancy. Oestrogen can cause women to experience higher levels of emotionalism and irritability aka PMS.
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Oxytocin
This is recognised as the 'love hormone'. It is present in both males and females. It's linked to bonding, attachment and social recognition. It's thought to have an increased effect on women due to the oestrogen in their bloodstream.
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Van Goozen et al
Studied transgender individuals who were undergoing hormone treatment and being injected with the opposite sexes hormones. Trans women showed decreased levels in aggression whereas trans males showed the opposite effect.
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Van Goozen et al cont.
This suggests that hormones have an effect on gender related behaviour.
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Tricker et al
43 males involved in a double blind fold study given either weekly injection of testosterone or placebo. After 10 weeks there was no significant differences in either group.
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Easteal
Believes that PMS could be a reason behind some womens crimes. Oestrogen can leave women feelings emotional, irritable and aggressive.
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Rimmele et al
Found that increased oxytocin levels improved male participants ability to recognise faces they'd seen before however it didn't improve non-social recognition.
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Hyde
Reviewed a meta-analysis that showed there was small/no difference between sexes in almost every measure. Showing that both genders are very similar psychologically.
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Overemphasis on nature
If human behaviour was solely based on biology than behavioural differences would be more noticeable. The gender roles people have may be due to nurture. Being taught that girls are sensitive and boys are strong.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Females 23rd pair of chromosomes is the ** pattern.

Back

Female Chromosomes

Card 3

Front

Males 23rd pair of chromosomes is the XY pattern.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Sometimes there's atypical variations that occur. There is a syndrome for both males and females who may be born with these variations.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

This is the syndrome where a male is affected by a chromosomal variation that's atypical. The male is born with an XXY chromosome pair.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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