In-depth notes and evaluations of the AQA A-Level Psychology topic 'Sex and Gender'. Clear to read with evaluation points that can easily be converted into essay plans. Learning these notes achieved me an A*.
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Sex and Gender
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Sex and Gender
Sex
- Biological differences between males and females including chromosomes, hormones and
anatomy.
- Innate and result of nature.
Gender
- Psychological and cultural differences between males and females including attitudes,
behaviours and social roles.
- Environmentally determined and result of nurture.
Gender Identity Disorder
- When the biologically prescribed sex doesn’t reflect the way an individual feels they should
identify themselves as being.
- May choose gender reassignment surgery, becoming transgender.
Sex-Role Stereotypes
- Set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and
females in a society.
Androgyny and the BSRI
Androgyny = Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality.
Measuring Androgyny: The Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)
- Seven-point rating scale that presents 20 characteristics that would be commonly identified as
‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’.
- Another 20 ‘neutral’ traits are also included in the scale.
- Respondents rate themselves on the scale.
- Scores are classified on basis of two dimensions:
o Masculinity-femininity.
o Androgynous-undifferentiated.
Androgyny and the BSRI – Evaluation
FOR AGAINST
Valid and Reliable Androgyny and Psychological Well-Being
- Developed by asking 50 male and 50 - Bem suggested androgynous individuals
female judges to rate 200 traits on are more psychologically healthy.
whether they were masculine or - They can deal with situations that require
feminine. a feminine, masculine or androgynous
, - Chose 20 top traits for both. response.
- Piloted with over 1000 students and - However, argument that people who
results corresponded to students’ own display higher levels of masculine traits
gender identities. are better adjusted as these are more
- High validity. highly valued in Western society.
- Follow up study a month later revealed
similar scores – high test-retest reliability.
Over Simplistic
- Suggested that gender identity is too
complex to be reduced to a single score.
- Created alternative of Personal Attribute
Questionnaire (PAQ) that measures
instrumentality and expressivity.
- However, still quantifies gender.
- Psychologists claimed that gender
identity is a more global concept than
these scales.
- Person’s interests and perception of own
abilities should be considered.
Cultural and Historical Bias
- BSRI developed 40 years ago.
- ‘Typical’ gendered behaviours have
changed since then.
- Made up of stereotypical ideas that lack
temporal validity.
- Scale devised using judges from USA.
- Ideas of gender may not be shared across
all cultures.
Self-Report Method
- Relies on understanding of their own
personality and behaviour that they may
not have.
- Open to interpretation.
- Scale is subjective.
Chromosomes and Hormones
Chromosomes
- Found in nucleus of living cells carrying information in the form of genes.
- 23rd pair determines biological sex.
- Y chromosome causes testes to develop which produce androgens (male sex hormones).
Hormones
- Chemicals circulated in the blood that control and regulate activity of certain cells or organs.
Testosterone
, o An androgen that controls the development of male sex organs.
o Associated with aggressiveness.
o Study found female rats who were injected with testosterone became more physically
and sexually aggressive.
Oestrogen
o Primary female hormone that determines female sexual characteristics and
menstruation.
o Causes heightened emotionality during menstrual cycle (PMS).
Oxytocin
o Hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation.
o Women produce more than men.
o Reduces stress hormone cortisol and facilitates bonding.
Chromosomes and Hormones – Evaluation
FOR AGAINST
Supporting Evidence – David Reimer Contradictory Evidence
- Determining influence of chromosomes - Double-blind study.
on gender identity is supported by case - Males given weekly injection of
of David Reimer. testosterone or placebo.
- Circumcision accidentally removed - No differences in aggression were found
Bruce’s penis. over 10 weeks in both groups.
- Money made psychological theory that - Many studies of biological factors in
biological sex is less important that gender involve small samples of unusual
environment when determining gender people – limits generalisation.
identity.
- Bruce (Brenda) was raised stereotypically
as a girl and was monitored by Money.
- Brenda never adjusted to being a female
and suffered severe emotional and
psychological problems.
- Eventually told truth and went back to
living as a man (David).
Supporting Evidence – Sex Hormones Objections to PMS
- Found offenders with highest levels of - People have questioned PMS on that is
testosterone were more likely to have stereotypes female experience and
committed violent or sexually motivated emotion.
crimes. - Feminist critiques claim PMS is a social
- Study – trans people on hormone construction and is a way of privileging
therapy – trans women showed men over women.
decreases in aggression whereas trans - Feminists have pointed to dismissal of
men showed the opposite. women’s emotions like anger by
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