Psychology - Paper 3 - Gender - Role of chromosomes and hormones on sex and gender.

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How many chromosomes do humans have and how many pairs?
46 chromosomes and 23 pairs.
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Which number pair determines biological sex?
23rd
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Which chromosomes do females and males have that determine their sex?
Females have ** and males have XY
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What are the typical chromosome patterns?
Cells in ovaries have an X, 50% of sperm carry X and 50% carry Y, baby's sex determined by sperm, first 8 weeks embryos are identical.
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What happens to the embryo at 8 weeks?
At about 8 weeks the ‘Sex-determining Region Y’ gene (SRY gene) on the Y chromosome instructs the XY embryo to release male hormones which leads to testes/penis developing. Otherwise the embryo will develop a female reproductive system.
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How are hormones influential prenatally?
Influence development of reproductive organs and development of the brain.
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How are hormones influential during puberty?
Influence secondary sexual characteristics.
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What's the description of testosterone?
Male hormones controls male sex organs, produced at 8 wks of foetal development in testes and small amount in ovaries, + correlated with aggression, - correlated with verbal ability, acts on the hypothalamus enlarging the sexually dimorphic nucleus.
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What's the description of oestrogen?
Female hormones produced in ovaries controls sex organs and menstruation, high levels associated with irritability during cycle, PMS has been used as legal defence as women's anger is deemed 'biological'.
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What's the description of oxytocin?
'Love hormone', produced in large amounts when women give birth, stimulates lactation, reduced levels of stress and encourages bonding with baby, however males and females produce equal amount of oxytocin during 'amorous' activities.
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What leads to intersex conditions?
Under or over exposure to hormones during prenatal development may lead to intersex conditions.
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What is androgen insensitivity syndrome?
Genetic male XY exposed to too little testosterone and develops with female characteristics.
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What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia?
Genetic female ** but too much testosterone, ambiguous genitalia, often identified at birth.
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What is the supporting evidence for the role of chromosome in gender development?
David Reimer - Born physically male but reassigned a girl and raised a girl after botched circumcision but transitioned back to a boy at 15. This shows chromosomes affect how a person feels as his chromosomes were still XY.
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What is the supporting evidence for the role of hormones in gender development?
Nanne van der Poll et al - showed that female rats who were injected with testosterone became more masculine and more sexually aggressive. Shows that hormones affect characteristics e.g. aggression. However, can't extrapolate from rats to humans.
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What is the contradictory evidence for hormones affecting gender?
Tricker et al gave 43 males weekly injections of testosterone or a placebo. No differences in aggression after 10 weeks. This suggest hormones don't have a massive effect as researcher was directly manipulating testosterone.
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What are the other explanations?
Social learning theory or psychodynamic approach.
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What are the practical applications of looking into chromosomes and hormones effecting gender?
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) used to conduct chromosome based gender verification tests at the Olympics but these were stopped in 2000 as deemed unethical and unscientific. Now stated genetic sex doesn't matter.
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Issues and debates?
Nature vs. nurture
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What are the 2 atypical sex chromosome patterns?
Klinefelter's syndrome and Turner's syndrome.
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What is the chromosome pattern for Klinefelter's syndrome?
XXY
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What are the physical characteristics?
Lack of pubic hair, poor muscle development, small testicles and infertile.
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How does Klinefelter's syndrome effect behaviour?
ADHD, dyslexia, social problems, anxiety.
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What is the chromosome pattern for Turner's syndrome?
When one X chromosome is damaged or missing.
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What are the physical characteristics?
Shorter than average, undeveloped ovaries, swollen hands and feet.
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How does Turner's syndrome effect behaviour?
Infertile, high levels of verbal skills, ADHD, bad spacial awareness.
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What is an evaluation point about using a sample of people with these conditions to draw conclusions about gender development?
Small sample to learn about atypical conditions but doesn't really help us understand typical patterns.
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What are the advantages for people with the syndromes in being identified?
Enables them to seek help and advice.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Which number pair determines biological sex?

Back

23rd

Card 3

Front

Which chromosomes do females and males have that determine their sex?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the typical chromosome patterns?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What happens to the embryo at 8 weeks?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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