Atypical gender development
Gender identity disorder is when they report a mismatch between their
biological sex and their identity. Gender dysphoria is a source of stress and
discomfort which is recognised as a disorder under DSM-5. They must have 6 of
the criteria: strong desire to be the other gender with insistence that one is
the other gender. Strong preference for cross-dressing. Strong preference for
cross-gender roles in fantasy play. Strong preference for toys or game
stereotypical of the other gender. Strong preference for playmates of other
gender. Rejection of stereotyped toys or games. Strong dislike of one’s sexual
autonomy. Strong desire for the primary characteristic that match their gender
identity. Distress or social impairment.
Biological explanations of GD
Brain sex theory suggests GID is caused by specific brain structures that are
incompatible with a person’s biological sex.
Zhou studied the BSTc which is 40% larger in males. In postmortem studies, 6
transgender females their BSTc was a similar size to a female brain. Follow up
also found the average no of neurons in transgender females was more similar
to females than men.
Genetic factors: suggested there is a strong genetic component to GID. Heylens
compared 23 MZ (identical) w 21 DZ twins where one of each pair was
diagnosed w gender dysphoria. Concordance rates for MZ twins was 39%
compared to 0% for DZ twins. Which would indicate a role for genetic factors in
the development of gender dysphoria. However it’s difficult to separate nature
and nurture in twin studies as they have the same genes and same
environment. Also not a majority.
Gender identity disorder is when they report a mismatch between their
biological sex and their identity. Gender dysphoria is a source of stress and
discomfort which is recognised as a disorder under DSM-5. They must have 6 of
the criteria: strong desire to be the other gender with insistence that one is
the other gender. Strong preference for cross-dressing. Strong preference for
cross-gender roles in fantasy play. Strong preference for toys or game
stereotypical of the other gender. Strong preference for playmates of other
gender. Rejection of stereotyped toys or games. Strong dislike of one’s sexual
autonomy. Strong desire for the primary characteristic that match their gender
identity. Distress or social impairment.
Biological explanations of GD
Brain sex theory suggests GID is caused by specific brain structures that are
incompatible with a person’s biological sex.
Zhou studied the BSTc which is 40% larger in males. In postmortem studies, 6
transgender females their BSTc was a similar size to a female brain. Follow up
also found the average no of neurons in transgender females was more similar
to females than men.
Genetic factors: suggested there is a strong genetic component to GID. Heylens
compared 23 MZ (identical) w 21 DZ twins where one of each pair was
diagnosed w gender dysphoria. Concordance rates for MZ twins was 39%
compared to 0% for DZ twins. Which would indicate a role for genetic factors in
the development of gender dysphoria. However it’s difficult to separate nature
and nurture in twin studies as they have the same genes and same
environment. Also not a majority.
