Essay plan tdue in tomorrow!

‘Outline and evaluate the 4 models of androgyny and research into gender

dysphoria’

(25 marks)

Due on Monday!

• Outline 2 types of evidence which have been used support the link between hormones & gendered behaviour (6 marks AO1)

• ‘Outline the relationship between sex & gender according to the biological perspective’ (9 marks AO1)

• ‘What are the difficulties in drawing conclusions from these types of evidence?’ (5 marks AO2)

In less than 30 words…

1. How do hormones explain gender differences?

2. How does brain structure explain gender difference?

3. How do genetics explain gender differences?

Research into Biological Differences

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Outline the 3 types of evidence used to investigate biological differences in gender

• Describe research for each

• Provide a commentary about this evidence (AO2 / AO3)

Evidence

• What different types of research methods are used to investigate biological differences in gender?

1.Animal studies2.Case studies3.Correlational studies

Read through the handout

1) Animal Research

• How does the experimenter control the IV?

E.g.

• The amount of hormone injected into a monkey

• Effects on behaviour are observed

Animal Research

Young (1966)• Rats• Males = mount females from behind• Females = arched back & low head

• Male hormones injected in female rats & vice versa during the ‘critical period’ of development

• = Reversed behaviours!

2) Case Study Research

• Studying individual people

Money & Erhardt (1972)

• Group of girls

• Exposed ‘in utero’ to high levels of male hormones (because mother had taken anti-miscarriage drug)

Case Study Research

Money & Erhardt (1972)

• Compared these girls to their non-exposed sisters (toys, games, clothes, IQ)

• Exposed group = boyish gameshigher IQ scorescareer asprirations

Case Study Research

HOWEVER…

Hollway et al (2002)• Money & Erhardt used leading questions

“Which of your daughters is the most tomboyish?”

• Follow-up study = only 1 difference (more physically active)

Case Study Research

Hines (1994)• Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)• Embryos are exposed to high levels of

male hormones • ‘Rough & tumble’ play in girls & boys (3-8

years old)• Only minor differences between CAH &

control girls= Over-exposure to male hormones has

little real effect on behaviour!

Case Study Research

Hines (2004)• 25 women & men with CAH• Asked to recall their childhood behaviour• CAH women = remembered more

‘boy-related’ play behaviours

= less interest in heterosexual relationships

3) Correlational Research

• Links between hormone levels & gender behaviour in normal populations

E.g.

• Amount of testosterone in saliva

• Ratio between lengths of 2nd (index) & 4th (ring) finger

Correlational Research

Deady et al (2006)• Women with no children of their own• “Do you intend to have children? How broody are

you? What is the ideal age to have a 1st child?”• Completed Bem’s SRI

= Women with high levels of testosterone had lower desires to have children

* Higher levels of male hormones related to lower maternal drive

2D:4D Ratio

• Ratio between the lengths of the 2nd finger (index) and the 4th finger (ring)

Women • Have a higher 2D:4DR than men• Their index fingers are longer than their ring fingers

Men• Reverse pattern – longer ring than index finger

- This is evident in foetuses, childhood & adulthood

2D:4D Ratio

Troche et al (2007)

• 4 different countries (Germany, Sweden, Spain, Italy)

• 176 females

• 171 males

• NO evidence of a relationship between Bem’s SRI & 2D:4DR

= Gender role behaviour may not be related to hormone exposure..

2D:4D Ratio

Rommsayer & Troche (2007)• University students

- 423 males & 312 females• Measured gender-role orientation with Bem’s

DRI• Measured 2D:4DR on both hands

Males• More feminine sex role = a 2D:4DR pattern • Indicates higher exposure to oestrogens than to

androgens in utero

AO2 / AO3 Commentary

• Using your textbook (pg 199) write a commentary about this evidence

• What AO2 / AO3 points can you include?

Quiz!!

• http://classtools.net/widgets/quiz_6/N7dm8.htm

Recap questions!

• Outline 2 types of evidence which have been used support the link between hormones & gendered behaviour (6 marks AO1)

• ‘Outline the relationship between sex & gender according to the biological perspective’ (9 marks AO1)

• ‘What are the difficulties in drawing conclusions from these types of evidence?’ (5 marks AO2)

Recap questions!

• Outline 2 types of evidence which have been used support the link between hormones & gendered behaviour (6 marks AO1)

• ‘Outline the relationship between sex & gender according to the biological perspective’ (9 marks AO1)

• ‘What are the difficulties in drawing conclusions from these types of evidence?’ (5 marks AO2)

Learning Outcomes

You are now able to:

• Outline the 3 types of evidence used to investigate biological differences in gender

• Describe research for each

• Provide a commentary about this evidence (AO2 / AO3)