SEX AND GENDER- BIOLOGICAL

PSYCHOLOGYInformation and questions

CONTENTS PAGE 1. the theories 2. key definitions 3. questions on 1 and 2 4. biological theory 5. useful applications of biological theory

6. evaluation of biological theory 7. questions on 4,5 and 6

8. Freuds psychodynamic theory description

9. little Hans- Freuds case study 10. questions on 8 and 9 11. core study–Diamond and Sigmundson

12. evaluation of core study–Diamond and Sigmundson

13. questions on 11 and 12

THE THEORIES The core theory biological theory

The core study Diamond and Sigmundson

The alternative theory Psychodynamic theory- Freud

KEY DEFINITIONS Sex~ this is the same in all cultures, it is what you are physically Gender~ what you are mentally, this varies between cultures ( e.g. in the UK we distinguish between gender identity as being two things; masculine or feminine but Mohave Indians, recognise four different gender identities: traditional males, traditional females, males who choose to live as women and females who choose to live as men) Androgyny ~ equal balance of masculine and feminine traits Masculine ~ qualities traditionally associated with men Feminine ~ qualities traditionally associated with women

Masculine behaviours - Logic

- Superior math/science skills

- Aggression- Strength

- Confidence Feminine behaviours

- Empathy / Sympathy- Patience

- Tenderness - Superior English skills

- Bitchiness

10 QUICK QUESTIONS – 15 MARKS 1. Define sex and gender: (2) 2. Give two differences between sex and gender: (2) 3. Give and example of each difference: (2)4. Define androgyny: (1)5. What is the core theory? (1)6. What is the core study? (1)7. What is the alternative theory? (1) 8. Define feminine: (1)9. Define masculine: (1)10. Give 3 examples of feminine and masculine behaviour: (3)

BIOLOGICAL THEORY – DESCRIPTION

-Gender is determined by sex at contraception, its is nurture -This approach believes that our behaviours are instinctive to help us survive and reproduce, this means that gender roles are instinctive also.-Females are ‘pickier’ with who they mate with (only 400 (approx.) eggs to waste) whereas males produce millions of sperm so waste them on anyone. -Also explains why females are more caring and sensitive as they’re equipped to deal with babies but males are more aggressive to protect young and hunt for survival.- If you’re male you are masculine and if you are female you are feminine - If your sex chromosomes are XY, the gonads form into testes triggered by the release testosterone this therefore makes you a masculine male - If your sex chromosomes are XX, if the gonads don’t produce testosterone, they form ovaries that release oestrogen, therefore making you a feminine female

USEFUL APPLICATIONS OF THIS THEORY Education for the theory

- Single sex schooling, since this theory highlights that males have superior maths and science skills, but females have superior English skills, it enables schools to provide extra lessons in the subjects that sex is naturally weaker in (e.g. more maths lessons for girls and more English lessons for males). The extra provision would lead to equality in achievements, therefore more equal opportunities in later life.

Employment against the theory

- Positive discrimination, this encourages a minority to apply for jobs where they’re typically underestimated, i.e. male nurses

- Certain areas of psychology acknowledge that sex and gender do not go together- it is nurtured. Therefore there are feminine males and masculine females

- Jobs that are suited to peoples attributes should be made more accessible

BIOLOGICAL THEORY – EVALUATION + There is research to support this theory, Diamond and Sigmundson proved that sex and gender go

together and that your gender is determined by nature… + more evidence suggested is that this theory is supported by chromosome abnormalities, XYY makes someone a VERY masculine male and XXY makes someone a VERY feminine female…

+ There are useful applications for this theory, these are in school. These applications ensure equal opportunities in school…

- Freuds psychodynamic theory suggests that it is nurture that determines our gender and not nature. He suggests the phallic stage (3-6), parental influence and identification… their gender is therefore learnt…

- this theory is reductionist as it cannot explain the sudden rise in androgyny and why those that are born female or male reassign themselves as the opposite sex as they feel masculine and feminine. This shows that sex doesn’t establish gender and nurture cannot determine said gender…

- the theory says that all females are biologically similar and all males are biologically similar, however both sexes show a huge range of behaviours so how can they be sure that all females are feminine and all males masculine?

- biology is fixed- respectively- but gender roles can change, and have been changing over the years…

10 QUICK QUESTIONS – 20 MARKS 1. According to the biological approach, when is gender decided? (1) 2. What are the male sex chromosomes? (1) 3. What does the biological theory say about instincts? (2) 4. According to the biological theory, what is your gender if you are fe/male? (2) 5. Does sex determine gender? Is this nature or nurture? (2) 6. What research supports the biological theory? (1) 7. How are chromosome abnormalities linked to the theory? (2) 8. Is this theory reductionist? If so, why? (3) 9. What are the useful applications to this theory? Explain: (4) 10. Explain in detail how Freuds Psychodynamic theory is linked to this theory for either a boy or girl: (2)

THE PSYCHODYNAMIC THEORY – FREUD

Oedipus complex

Males go through this complex, unconsciously they desire their mum and want to be around her, they want mum all to themselves. However they are afraid that their father will find out and take away his penis, this is called castration fear. Soon the boy unconsciously sees what dad has (mum/bigger penis), and must identify with him to learn how to do this, thus meaning that masculine traits would then be passed onto the boy.

Electra complex Females go through this complex, they unconsciously hate their mum and desire their father. The mother is hated as the girl unconsciously believes that she took away her penis, this is called penis envy. Soon they unconsciously wants a baby to replace their missing penis and sees that mum has gone through the same thing so identifies with her to get a baby, thus meaning that the female traits are then passed onto the girl.

Freud suggested: - Gender is determined by

nurture and not nature - We develop our gender at

the phallic stage ( aged 3 -5, this is the psychosexual development stage)

- Boys and girls go through different stages called the Oedipus complex and Electra complex.

- Freud said that the behaviours displayed in these complexes are all a part of our unconscious mind

FREUDS CASE STUDY- LITTLE HANS

BehavioursLittle Hans had a phobia of horses, especially those with blinkers and black bits around their mouthsHe hated his younger sister, especially when mother was spending time with her- he wanted her to drown in the bath He had dreams of having several children, and when asked who the mother was he replied with ‘mummy’ , he also had a dream that a plumber came and took away his ‘widdler’ and replaced it with a larger one

Freuds interpretation ~ His phobia was a symbol for this father, Little Hans was afraid of the horses (his father) biting (castrating) him for subconsciously desiring his mum – hence the dreams and constantly wanting to be with her. The blinkers represented his fathers spectacles and the black bits around the horses mouth represented his fathers moustache. ~ He hated his younger sister as his mother spent more time with her and he was jealous, he wanted her to drown so that he could have mum all to himself.~ The dreams he had supported the idea that he subconsciously desired his mum and that he also wanted a larger penis thus meaning he would then identify with his father.

5 QUICK QUESTIONS – 10 MARKS 1. What it the name of Freuds theory? (1) 2. What did Freud suggest? (1) 3. Explain the Oedipus and Electra complex (what do fe/males do unconsciously): (4) 4. Give two behaviours of little Hans? (2) 5. Give an explanation (according to the Freudian approach) of each behaviour: (2)

CORE STUDY – DIAMOND AND SIGMUNDSON

Aim to show that children cannot be nurtured into gender roles, it is an innate, instinctual role you’re born with therefore a factor of nature

Method reviewing a case study

Participants Bruce/Brenda/David and his brother Brian Procedure they reviewed Dr Moneys notes and then conducted their own interviews with Bruce/Brenda/David and his family Results they found and reviewed Dr Money’s notes on Bruce’s gender reassignment working. It was said that the surgery had worked because s/he played with dolls. However, after having a deeper exploration of the notes Dr Money made and looking at their own research, it was found that Brenda was actually quite confused and felt masculine, s/he was masculine the whole time. Examples of this include the fact that s/he enjoyed play fighting and masculine sports, as well as having a none gay desire to be with females.

ConclusionDiamond and Sigmundson concluded that biology drives gender. They came to this conclusion due to the fact that even though Bruce/Brenda had been nurtured as a female, Brenda had felt masculine the whole time and actually became male again when old enough to actually realise.

EVALUATION OF CORE STUDY

- it was too difficult to control the possible variables such as Brian being the role model, he could have influenced Brenda to act and feel the way s/he did. This means that it would’ve actually been nurture that resulted in Brenda feeling masculine as s/he would’ve been copying Brian's behaviour. Additionally, s/he was raised as a boy for a year and a half, the parents knew that s/he should’ve been male so may not have treated him/her completely female

- it is only a case study so it is difficult to make generalisations to the whole of the country or even world. The gender reassignment may not have worked for Bruce/Brenda, but this could just be a ‘one off’ case so you cannot be sure that it would happen to everyone in that situation

- the interview may have been biased, they wanted to prove that gender is down to nature so the questions used could’ve been leading in order to get the answers they wanted to prove their hypothesis

- due to the fact that the interviews conducted by Diamond and Sigmundson were many, many years after Dr Money’s investigation, it relies purely on the memory of David, the information given could’ve been exaggerated, false or implicit ideas

+there was lots of information that was collected over a long period of time, as well as it being a case study. This means that the researcher would have had a better understanding of the behaviour being studied as they can go into lots of depth as well as seeing the development of the case

+ because Brenda had an identical twin brother, Brian, they were able to use him as a control. Due to the fact that they’re identical, their biology would be more or less identical also so that meant that it was a natural experiment design…

10 QUICK QUESTIONS – 25 MARKS 1. What did D&S want to find out? (1) 2. What was their method and procedure? (2) 3. Who was their study about? (2) 4. Explain what they found out: (5) 5. What conclusion did they come to? (2) 6. Give two strengths of this study: (4) 7. What variables were difficult to control? How did this possibly effect the results? (2)

8. What are the positives and negatives about the fact that it was a case study? (4) 9. Are the results accurate from the second rounds of interviews? (1) 10. If not, explain why: (2)

10 MARKER POSSIBILITIES Describe and evaluate the biological approach to sex and

gender (10 marks)

Or

Describe and evaluate Diamond and Sigmundsons study (10 marks)

QUESTION ANSWERS A* - 75-80 A - 69-74B – 60-68C – 45-59D – 35-44E – 20-34F – >19

Total marks available: 80

QUESTION ANSWERS – SLIDE 5 1. sex: what you are

physically Gender: what you are mentally (2)

2. your sex is the same in all cultures, your gender changes within different cultures (2)

3. in the UK there are 2 gender identities- feminine, masculine. Mohave Indians have 4 gender identities- traditional male/female, male that lives as female, female that lives as a male (2)

4. androgyny: equal balance of masculine and feminine traits (1)

5. biological theory (1) 6. diamond and Sigmundson (1)

7. Freuds psychodynamic theory (1)

8. traits traditionally associated with females (1)

9. traits traditionally associated with males (1) 10. masculine: Logic , Superior math/science skills, Aggression, Strength, Confidence

Feminine: Empathy / Sympathy, Patience, Tenderness, Superior English skills, Bitchiness

(3)

15 marks in total!

QUESTION ANSWERS – SLIDE 9 20 MARKS

AVAILABLE!! 1. contraception (1) 2. XY (1) 3. our biology is what decides our gender identity in order for us to be able to survive and reproduce. Men have masculine traits such as aggression in order to protect family and hunt to survive. Women have feminine traits such as sensitivity and pickiness so that they can look after their young and be able to pick a sufficient enough partner that will make sure they survive. (2)

4. female=feminine / male=masculine (2) 5. yes. Nature (2) 6. diamond and Sigmundsons review of a case study (1)

7. XYY means VERY masculine / XXY means VERY feminine (2)

8. yes it is reductionist as it cannot explain the sudden rise in androgyny- to get all marks ensure its fully developed (2)

9. useful applications are in education. Same sex schooling to give equal opportunities for the different sexes as the theory claims that males are weaker in English and females weaker at maths/science, in same sex schooling they’re given extra lessons what they’re supposedly weaker in to ensure they are able to get equal opportunities as the opposite sex in the exams etc. full explanation required for full marks. (3)

10. Freud believes its down to your nurture. Gender identity is decided in the phallic stage (3-6 years) (4)

A full detailed explanation of either the Oedipus or Electra complex is needed. The word ‘unconscious/ly’ must be use, no words that reference to free will are allowed, no marks allocated for this.

QUESTION ANSWERS – SLIDE 12

1. psychodynamic theory (1) 2. gender identity is a product of nurture- must refer to phallic stage (1) 3. full explanation of Oedipus and Electra complex needed for full marks, must use ‘unconscious/ly’- cannot make it out as if there is free will involved (4) 4. any of the behaviours shown are acceptable, full description not necessary (2) 5. a brief explanation of the Freudian theory behind the behaviours is acceptable (2)

10 AVAILABLE MARKS!!

QUESTION ANSWERS – SLIDE 15

1. to show that children cannot be nurtured into gender roles, it is an innate, instinctual role you’re born with therefore a factor of nature (1)

2. reviewing a case study. Bruce/Brenda/David and his brother Brian (2)

3. David Reimer (a brief explanation of the background can be added) (2)

4. must explain in sufficient enough detail to achieve full marks, example answer: they found and reviewed Dr Money’s notes on Bruce’s gender reassignment working. It was said that the surgery had worked because s/he played with dolls. However, after having a deeper exploration of the notes Dr Money made and looking at their own research, it was found that Brenda was actually quite confused and felt masculine, s/he was masculine the whole time. Examples of this include the fact that s/he enjoyed play fighting and masculine sports, as well as having a none gay desire to be with females. (5)

5. any reference to the conclusion of nature driving gender and NOT nurture, must refer to both for 2 marks (2)

6. +there was lots of information that was collected over a long period of time, as well as it being a case study. This means that the researcher would have had a better understanding of the behaviour being studied as they can go into lots of depth as well as seeing the development of the case + because Brenda had an identical twin brother, Brian, they were able to use him as a control. Due to the fact that they’re identical, their biology would be more or less identical also so that meant that it was a natural experiment design…

Must be detailed for 4 marks, any other sufficient point is incredible (4)

7. - it was too difficult to control the possible variables such as Brian being the role model, he could have influenced Brenda to act and feel the way s/he did. This means that it would’ve actually been nurture that resulted in Brenda feeling masculine as s/he would’ve been copying Brian's behaviour. Additionally, s/he was raised as a boy for a year and a half, the parents knew that s/he should’ve been male so may not have treated him/her completely female

Other credible references to the inability to control a variable (2)

8. +there was lots of information that was collected over a long period of time, as well as it being a case study. This means that the researcher would have had a better understanding of the behaviour being studied as they can go into lots of depth as well as seeing the development of the case

- it is only a case study so it is difficult to make generalisations to the whole of the country or even world. The gender reassignment may not have worked for Bruce/Brenda, but this could just be a ‘one off’ case so you cannot be sure that it would happen to everyone in that situation (4)

9. could be yes or no (1) 10. no because it relies on memory of the participants and questions may be leading

Yes its reliable since its gathering first hand account information (2)

25 marks available!

10 MARKER