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PSYA 3 - GENDER
DISCUSS THE ROLE OF GENES AND HORMONES IN GENDER DEVELOPEMENT (8+16
marks)
One explanation into gender development is the role of genes. In the first few weeks after
conception there are no structural differences between male and female embryos. Each person
has 23 pairs of chromosomes and one pair of the chromosomes are the sex chromosome. These
chromosomes carry genes which contain instructions on physical and behavioural
characteristics. Males have XY chromosomes whereas females have XX chromosomes. Theres
usually a direct link between chromosomal sex and internal (ovaries or testes) & external
genitalia (vagina or penis). At about 6 weeks the SRY gene which is found on the Y chromosome
causes the gonads of the embryo to develop as testes. As females do not have the Y
chromosome they will not have the SRY gene leading gonads will develop as ovaries. The
internal genitalia will begin to produce sex hormones further affecting gender development.
However male babies can be born and extra X chromosome (XXY).
The second explanation is the role of hormones. Hormones are produced prenatally and in
adolescence. They influence the development of genetalia and affect the development of the
brain, both of which influence gender behaviour. Testosterone (male sex hormone) contributes to
the development of the male reproductive system and initiates puberty which leads to the growth
of facial hair, deepening of voice and muscle growth. Similarly females produce estrogen which
stimulates the onset of menstruation and the widening of hips, breast and pubic hair. Male brains
are exposed prenatally to more testosterone than female brains leading to a masculinised brain.
For example females generally appear to have better at socialising and empathising, whereas
males have better spatial navigation (Hoag 2008). However in some cases when individuals are
exposed prenatally to abnormal levels of hormones AIS (androgen insensitivity syndrome) can
occur.
P: One strength of the hormones explanation into gender is that theres supporting research.
E: For example Young (1966) gave male hormones to female mice and female hormones to
male mice. The effect was a reversal of usual gender-related behaviours.
E: This suggests that hormones play an important role in gender as the mices gendered
behaviour was linked to the hormones they received,
L: thus strengthening the explanation into the link between hormones and gender.
P: Additionally the genes explanation into gender is supported by research
E: such as Koopman et al (1991) in this study researchers found that genetically female mice
who previously didnt possess the SRY gene developed into male mice if the gene was implanted
into them.
E: This therefore demonstrates the importance of the SRY gene in gender development as
possession of the SRY gene led to the development of male gender,
L: thus strengthening the explanation into genes and gender.
P: However a criticism of the biologically explanation into gender is that some studies have used
animals instead of humans meaning they may not be applicable to humans.
E: For example the Young (1996) and Koopman (1991) studies used mice to test the
explanation. But there are many differences between animals and humans which makes it
difficult to compare findings collected from animal studies to humans.
E: This suggests that the results from these studies may lack generalisability,
L: thus weakening the explanation.