GENDER 16 MARKERS
Biological explanations – The role of chromosomes and hormones (testosterone,
oestrogen, and oxytocin) in sex and gender. Atypical sex chromosome patterns:
Klinefelter’s syndrome and Turner’s syndrome.
Cognitive explanations of gender development, Kohlberg’s theory, gender
identity, gender stability and gender constancy; gender schema theory.
Discuss the role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender. Refer to evidence in
your answer. [16 marks]
Chromosomes are made from DNA, and humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes which
determine a person’s biological sex. The structure of chromosomes for females is XX and for
males is XY. Human eggs provide the X chromosome and the sperm provides either another
X or a Y chromosome. The Y chromosome carries the sex determining region Y (SRY) gene.
This gene causes testes to develop in males which produce androgens, male hormones.
Hormones influence gender development. Testosterone masculinises the brain, developing
areas like spatial skills and aggressiveness. Oestrogen is a female sex hormone that
determines female sexual characteristics and is involved in controlling the menstrual cycle. It
means that women experience more emotionality and irritability in their menstrual cycle
which can lead to a diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Oxytocin is involved in
bonding and is released during sexual activities. Typically females produce more oxytocin
than men as it plays a role in birth and breastfeeding. This supports the idea that men are
less interested in intimacy in a relationship.
A strength of the biological explanation for gender is that it has supporting evidence from
Bruce Reimer’s case study, after he underwent a botched circumcision. John Money was
researching the theory that biological sex is less vital than environment in establishing
gender identity, and instructed the parents to raise Bruce as a girl through items such as
clothes and dolls. By the time Bruce was in her teens, she never fully adjusted to being a
female, having severe psychological an emotional issues. Once she was told the truth about
her biological sex, she immediately went back to living as a man. This supports the role of
hormones because no matter how many environmental factors are used to change
someone’s gender identity, there hormones and biology will override this.
There is also evidence to support the role of hormones. A study of transgender people
having hormone treatment, injected with hormones of the opposite sex, demonstrated
changes in behaviours. Transgender women showed decreases in aggression and
visuospatial skills, whilst transgender men showed the opposite. This implies that hormones
have a big role in determining gender of an individual and that biology can change gendered
behaviour.
A weakness, however, of the role of hormones, is that there is counter evidence from
testosterone studies. Psychologists gave males a weekly injection of testosterone or a
placebo. There were no significant differences in aggression after the 10 week period. This
weakens the influence of hormones on gendered behaviour, as well as previous supporting
evidence, as the placebo affect may have been changing gendered behaviour, rather than
the hormones.
There are also weaknesses for the influence of oestrogen. There are objections to the idea
of PMS as it stereotypes female experience. Feminist writers claimed that PMS is a social
construct, not a biological fact, but a way of privileging men over women. This can lead to
the This ultimately leads to the dismissal of women’s emotions, especially anger, by
explaining them in biological terms. This is a weakness for the explanation as it can be
, GENDER 16 MARKERS
socially sensitive. of women’s lives as they are treated as though it is a medical condition.
This ultimately leads to the dismissal of women’s emotions, especially anger, by explaining
them in biological terms. This is a weakness for the explanation as it can be socially
sensitive towards women.
Discuss atypical sex chromosome patterns and what they tell us about gender development.
[16 marks]
Individuals who have atypical sex chromosome patterns have combinations that differ from
the usual XX or XY pattern. Klinefelter’s Syndrome affects biological males who have an
extra X chromosome. Physical characteristics include reduced body hair, some breast
development and long, gangly limbs. Individuals also have poorly developed language skills
and tend to be shy and lack interest in sexual activity. Turner’s Syndrome is caused by the
absence of one of the X chromosomes in a biological female. Sufferers of this syndrome
may not have a menstrual cycle, a high waist to hip ratio, and have the image of a
prepubescent girl. Physiological characteristics include a higher than average reading ability,
lower performance of spatial and visual memory and mathematical tasks and social
immaturity.
A strength of research into atypical sex chromosomes is that it contributes to the nature
nurture debate. Comparing people with these conditions two typical individuals makes it
possible to see psychological and behavioural differences between the two groups. It might
be seen that these differences have a biological basis and are results of abnormal
chromosome structure. This suggests that innate nature influences have an effect on
psychology and behaviour, supporting the nature side of the debate.
On the other hand, there may be issues with leaping to a nature conclusion. It may be the
environmental and social influences that are more responsible for the behavioural
differences seen. People may react to the pre-pubescent appearance of people with
Turner’s in a way that encourages immaturity. This may have an indirect impact upon their
performance at school. This shows that it is wrong to assume that the psychological and
behavioural differences are solely due to nature.
Another strength of research into atypical sex chromosome patterns is that it has practical
applications. Continued research is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and
more positive outcomes in the future. A study of those with Klinefelter’s syndrome showed
that those identified and treated from a young age had significant benefits compared to
those diagnosed later. This suggests that increased awareness of these conditions may
have important influences on the quality of life of individuals suffering from these disorders.
Describe and evaluate Kohlberg’s explanation for gender development. [16 marks]
Kohlberg’s cognitive-developmental theory of gender is based on the idea that a child’s
understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age. Gender development is
parallel to intellectual development as the child matures biologically, and it is thought that
this process is through three stages. The first stage, gender identity, occurs around two
years old, where children can identify themselves as a boy or girl. Most can identify other
people as male or female but their understanding of gender is simplified to labels and they
aren’t aware that sex is permanent. The second stage is gender stability, which occurs
around four years old. Children this age realise that their gender will stay consistent, but
can’t apply this logic to other people in other situations. They are confused by external
changes in appearance, a man, for example, with long hair would be seen as a woman. The
final stage is gender constancy which occurs around six years old. The child’s recognises
Biological explanations – The role of chromosomes and hormones (testosterone,
oestrogen, and oxytocin) in sex and gender. Atypical sex chromosome patterns:
Klinefelter’s syndrome and Turner’s syndrome.
Cognitive explanations of gender development, Kohlberg’s theory, gender
identity, gender stability and gender constancy; gender schema theory.
Discuss the role of chromosomes and hormones in sex and gender. Refer to evidence in
your answer. [16 marks]
Chromosomes are made from DNA, and humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes which
determine a person’s biological sex. The structure of chromosomes for females is XX and for
males is XY. Human eggs provide the X chromosome and the sperm provides either another
X or a Y chromosome. The Y chromosome carries the sex determining region Y (SRY) gene.
This gene causes testes to develop in males which produce androgens, male hormones.
Hormones influence gender development. Testosterone masculinises the brain, developing
areas like spatial skills and aggressiveness. Oestrogen is a female sex hormone that
determines female sexual characteristics and is involved in controlling the menstrual cycle. It
means that women experience more emotionality and irritability in their menstrual cycle
which can lead to a diagnosis of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Oxytocin is involved in
bonding and is released during sexual activities. Typically females produce more oxytocin
than men as it plays a role in birth and breastfeeding. This supports the idea that men are
less interested in intimacy in a relationship.
A strength of the biological explanation for gender is that it has supporting evidence from
Bruce Reimer’s case study, after he underwent a botched circumcision. John Money was
researching the theory that biological sex is less vital than environment in establishing
gender identity, and instructed the parents to raise Bruce as a girl through items such as
clothes and dolls. By the time Bruce was in her teens, she never fully adjusted to being a
female, having severe psychological an emotional issues. Once she was told the truth about
her biological sex, she immediately went back to living as a man. This supports the role of
hormones because no matter how many environmental factors are used to change
someone’s gender identity, there hormones and biology will override this.
There is also evidence to support the role of hormones. A study of transgender people
having hormone treatment, injected with hormones of the opposite sex, demonstrated
changes in behaviours. Transgender women showed decreases in aggression and
visuospatial skills, whilst transgender men showed the opposite. This implies that hormones
have a big role in determining gender of an individual and that biology can change gendered
behaviour.
A weakness, however, of the role of hormones, is that there is counter evidence from
testosterone studies. Psychologists gave males a weekly injection of testosterone or a
placebo. There were no significant differences in aggression after the 10 week period. This
weakens the influence of hormones on gendered behaviour, as well as previous supporting
evidence, as the placebo affect may have been changing gendered behaviour, rather than
the hormones.
There are also weaknesses for the influence of oestrogen. There are objections to the idea
of PMS as it stereotypes female experience. Feminist writers claimed that PMS is a social
construct, not a biological fact, but a way of privileging men over women. This can lead to
the This ultimately leads to the dismissal of women’s emotions, especially anger, by
explaining them in biological terms. This is a weakness for the explanation as it can be
, GENDER 16 MARKERS
socially sensitive. of women’s lives as they are treated as though it is a medical condition.
This ultimately leads to the dismissal of women’s emotions, especially anger, by explaining
them in biological terms. This is a weakness for the explanation as it can be socially
sensitive towards women.
Discuss atypical sex chromosome patterns and what they tell us about gender development.
[16 marks]
Individuals who have atypical sex chromosome patterns have combinations that differ from
the usual XX or XY pattern. Klinefelter’s Syndrome affects biological males who have an
extra X chromosome. Physical characteristics include reduced body hair, some breast
development and long, gangly limbs. Individuals also have poorly developed language skills
and tend to be shy and lack interest in sexual activity. Turner’s Syndrome is caused by the
absence of one of the X chromosomes in a biological female. Sufferers of this syndrome
may not have a menstrual cycle, a high waist to hip ratio, and have the image of a
prepubescent girl. Physiological characteristics include a higher than average reading ability,
lower performance of spatial and visual memory and mathematical tasks and social
immaturity.
A strength of research into atypical sex chromosomes is that it contributes to the nature
nurture debate. Comparing people with these conditions two typical individuals makes it
possible to see psychological and behavioural differences between the two groups. It might
be seen that these differences have a biological basis and are results of abnormal
chromosome structure. This suggests that innate nature influences have an effect on
psychology and behaviour, supporting the nature side of the debate.
On the other hand, there may be issues with leaping to a nature conclusion. It may be the
environmental and social influences that are more responsible for the behavioural
differences seen. People may react to the pre-pubescent appearance of people with
Turner’s in a way that encourages immaturity. This may have an indirect impact upon their
performance at school. This shows that it is wrong to assume that the psychological and
behavioural differences are solely due to nature.
Another strength of research into atypical sex chromosome patterns is that it has practical
applications. Continued research is likely to lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, and
more positive outcomes in the future. A study of those with Klinefelter’s syndrome showed
that those identified and treated from a young age had significant benefits compared to
those diagnosed later. This suggests that increased awareness of these conditions may
have important influences on the quality of life of individuals suffering from these disorders.
Describe and evaluate Kohlberg’s explanation for gender development. [16 marks]
Kohlberg’s cognitive-developmental theory of gender is based on the idea that a child’s
understanding of gender becomes more sophisticated with age. Gender development is
parallel to intellectual development as the child matures biologically, and it is thought that
this process is through three stages. The first stage, gender identity, occurs around two
years old, where children can identify themselves as a boy or girl. Most can identify other
people as male or female but their understanding of gender is simplified to labels and they
aren’t aware that sex is permanent. The second stage is gender stability, which occurs
around four years old. Children this age realise that their gender will stay consistent, but
can’t apply this logic to other people in other situations. They are confused by external
changes in appearance, a man, for example, with long hair would be seen as a woman. The
final stage is gender constancy which occurs around six years old. The child’s recognises
