AQA A-Level Psychology: Gender: A-typical gender
development
Psychologists debate the causes of gender dysphoria. Some believe it is
the outcome of biological influences, whereas others emphasise the
role of social and psychological factors. With reference to the debate
outlined above, discuss two explanations for gender dysphoria. (16
marks)
Gender dysphoria is a psychological disorder, according to DSM-5, where a
person's biological sex doesn't align with their gender identity. The brief makes
reference to “biological influences” of GD. One biological influence of GD is
genetics. People with GD have tendencies variations to genes responsible for
androgen reception, changing the effect of testosterone. Heylens found a 39%
concordance rate of gender dysphoria in MZ twins and no concordant rate for DZ
twins. This shows that there is a genetic factor in the development of GD.
One strength of this theory is that it is biological so it can be tested for evidence.
Rametti analysed male and female brains prior to hormone treatment and found
that the distribution of white matter corresponded more closely to the gender
individuals identified with. This shows that there are biological difference, like
genes that can cause GD in individuals. Therefore, twin studies can identify
concordance rates exclusively for signs of gender dysphoria.
One limitation of the genetic explanation of GD is that its reductionist. By
reducing GD to one simple explanation, it ignores other factors that could
contribute to genetic dysphoria in other individuals. For example, gender
dysphoria could be due to social learning theories that incorporative cognitions
(mediational processes) and the influence of role models. Therefore, the social
learning theory may be a better explanation for GD.
“Psychological factors” that influence GD is the psychodynamic theory. This
explanation suggests that in the phallic stage gender identity id not correctly
established due to the Oedipus Complex not being resolved. Rather than
identifying with the same sex parent and internalising their gendered
behaviours, they identify with the opposite sex parent. This leads to gender
confusion.
One strength of this theory is that it provides a more holistic explanation for GD.
By incorporating many factors such as emotions, anxiety and attachment as
contributing factors, the theory is more applicable to individuals who vary in
experiences. Compared to the biological explanation, the psychological
explanation is broader.
On the other hand, the psychodynamic theory is not scientific. The
psychodynamic theory is based on the idea of the unconscious mind which
cannot be observed, so cannot provide empirical evidence that it is attributable
to gender dysphoria. The psychodynamic approach cannot provide mathematical
laws and provide one universal explanation for every individual unlike the
biological and behaviourist explanation.
development
Psychologists debate the causes of gender dysphoria. Some believe it is
the outcome of biological influences, whereas others emphasise the
role of social and psychological factors. With reference to the debate
outlined above, discuss two explanations for gender dysphoria. (16
marks)
Gender dysphoria is a psychological disorder, according to DSM-5, where a
person's biological sex doesn't align with their gender identity. The brief makes
reference to “biological influences” of GD. One biological influence of GD is
genetics. People with GD have tendencies variations to genes responsible for
androgen reception, changing the effect of testosterone. Heylens found a 39%
concordance rate of gender dysphoria in MZ twins and no concordant rate for DZ
twins. This shows that there is a genetic factor in the development of GD.
One strength of this theory is that it is biological so it can be tested for evidence.
Rametti analysed male and female brains prior to hormone treatment and found
that the distribution of white matter corresponded more closely to the gender
individuals identified with. This shows that there are biological difference, like
genes that can cause GD in individuals. Therefore, twin studies can identify
concordance rates exclusively for signs of gender dysphoria.
One limitation of the genetic explanation of GD is that its reductionist. By
reducing GD to one simple explanation, it ignores other factors that could
contribute to genetic dysphoria in other individuals. For example, gender
dysphoria could be due to social learning theories that incorporative cognitions
(mediational processes) and the influence of role models. Therefore, the social
learning theory may be a better explanation for GD.
“Psychological factors” that influence GD is the psychodynamic theory. This
explanation suggests that in the phallic stage gender identity id not correctly
established due to the Oedipus Complex not being resolved. Rather than
identifying with the same sex parent and internalising their gendered
behaviours, they identify with the opposite sex parent. This leads to gender
confusion.
One strength of this theory is that it provides a more holistic explanation for GD.
By incorporating many factors such as emotions, anxiety and attachment as
contributing factors, the theory is more applicable to individuals who vary in
experiences. Compared to the biological explanation, the psychological
explanation is broader.
On the other hand, the psychodynamic theory is not scientific. The
psychodynamic theory is based on the idea of the unconscious mind which
cannot be observed, so cannot provide empirical evidence that it is attributable
to gender dysphoria. The psychodynamic approach cannot provide mathematical
laws and provide one universal explanation for every individual unlike the
biological and behaviourist explanation.
