The Effects of Hormones and Behavior on Gender Identity

The effects of hormones and behavior on gender identity PSY 340 February 14, 2010 The effects of hormones and behavior on gender identity The formation of gender identity is not completely understood as it is much more complex than just getting a sperm and egg cell to join; an XX or an XY genotype is only the first part in gender identity. There are many biological, psychological and sociological factors involved. The biological includes chromosomes, gonads, prenatal hormones, internal accessory organs, external genital appearance. The psychological includes assigned gender role and gender identity. The sociological could come from family, mass media and society (Kenyon, PhD, 2006). Sammons (2007) states that biological psychology†¦show more content†¦Sammons (2007) states that â€Å"In early intrauterine development male and female external genitalia (visible sex organs) are identical† and exposure to dihydrotestosterone the male genitalia will develop and its absence female genitalia will. Society then tells the child how he should act. Brenbaum (1999) â€Å"has shown clear differences in activ ities and job interests between adolescent boys and girls. But gender role behaviours[sic] may be influenced by the media.† Male adolescent gender role activities according to Berenbaum (1999) include working with engines and electronics, playing or liking football, hunting, washing or waxing the car, playing sports, fishing, and basketball. Female adolescent gender role activities such as thinking about becoming a secretary, needlepoint, going to slumber parties, collecting dolls, trying out for cheerleading, playing dress-up, and playing with make-up. These activities are not programmed into males and females at conception but by the society and the mass media. Parents tell boys to be tough and brave, not to cry or play with dolls; girls are told to be gentle and lady-like, not to play with trucks or play rough sports. Hollywood also perpetuates this idea but making movies with helpless women and tough guys though there are some cross-over changes but they show the men and w omen negatively accepted by their peers. Looking over these two ideas of nature versus nurture orShow MoreRelatedGender Identity Paper Psy 340816 Words   |  4 PagesGender Identity Gender is defined as being male or female as defined by roles, social status, and attitude. The perception of oneself and what characterizes gender identity. Included in gender identity is hormone and behavior interaction, along with the examination of psychological, biological, and environmental influences on sexual separation. Interaction between hormones and behavior has shown to be linked to higher aggression and hostility. The aggression found relates to sexual maturationRead MoreGender Identity1341 Words   |  6 PagesGender Identity Autumn Messina PSY/340 January 24, 2011 Melynda Marchi Gender Identity The development of our gender identity is influenced by both the biological nature of a person and society, but the biology is the foundation of our gender identity. In the following paragraphs I will be discussing the interaction between hormones and behavior, and how these interactions affect the determination of gender identity, the roles of biological factors nature and environmentalRead MoreGender And Nature Vs. Nurture994 Words   |  4 PagesGender reveal day. A blue middle is exposed by the slice of a cake. Dad perches on a ladder and lathers the nursery with the same sky-blue paint, Mom standing in the middle, rubbing her belly, â€Å"He’ll play football just like you, our little man.† So when the little man grows into a big one, will he play football because of the sports mobile turning above his crib, or because something in himself innately gravitates toward masculine activities? The mechanisms of what creates someone’s gender identityRead More Male and female gender constructs Essay1624 Words   |  7 PagesOur cultural beliefs dictate that there are only two biological sexes corresponding to two genders (Newman, 2001). The male and female constructs often carry with them misconceptions and stereotypes, such as the belief that gender and sex are synonymous or that gender assigned at birth indicates a specific preference for toys, interest, clothes, and eventual erotic attraction (Newman, 2001). Males are expected to exhibit masculine personality traits and be attracted to women while females are expectedRead MoreGender Identity1270 Words   |  6 PagesGender Identity Introduction This paper will discuss issues dealing with the roles of biological factors, (nature), and environmental influences, (nurture), on sexual differentiation and gender identity. The author, Troy Stutsman, will evaluate and give a determination as to which has the greater influence on gender identity: nature or nurture. Also discussed will be the current arguments about sexual identity and how evidence from biopsychology which may help to resolve the argument. What isRead MoreGender And Gender Identity And Development1303 Words   |  6 Pagesthroughout the years. However, gender identity and development is something that has been both misunderstood and misconstrued by people for quite some time. The differences between â€Å"gender† and â€Å"sex† is quite vast. According to John Carl: Gender is defined as the personal traits and position in society connected with being male or female. For instance, wearing high heels is associated with the female gender, while wearing combat boots is associated with the male gender. Gender is different from sex becauseRead MoreNature or Nurture: the Case of the Boy Who Became a Girl1078 Words   |  5 PagesBrenda will have female behavior and believe he is a girl. From a physical point of view he will not develop secondary characteristics. Based on how hormones work by removing his testicles they denied him of his secondary characteristics. After puberty he would not have testicles to produce testosterone which would make him deficit of his secondary characteristics. 2. If Bruce was not subjected to gender reassignment surgery and raised as a boy, he would express the gender identity of a male. This isRead MoreNature vs Nurture: Genes vs Environment Essay1285 Words   |  6 Pagesfrom and are usually very identified with the particular gender that we happen to be a member of.† This quote by Andrew Cohen explains partially how gender identity develops, through the conditioning of our environments. The most influential factor of gender development, however, is still a very controversial issue. An analysis of the gender identification process reveals two main arguments in what factor most greatly contributes to gender development: biology differences (nature) or the environmentRead MoreGender, Gender And Gender Identity Essay1012 Words   |  5 Pages Gender Communication Prior to taking this class I would define gender as one being male or female. Females have particular roles, and males also have particular roles. When I think of females, I think of females being nurturing, loving, caring, and feminine. Males being masculine, athletic, strong, main provider, wearing a suit and tie, whereas females wear dresses, high heels, have long hair. Females seem to be higher maintenance than men. Now I can say gender and gender identity are very muchRead MoreTitle. Several Theories Have Arisen In Attempt To Explain1236 Words   |  5 Pagestheories have arisen in attempt to explain the development of gender roles. Sigmund Freud proposed one of the early theories of gender role development. Freud believed that gender role development was shaped early in childhood when children have intimate feelings for their parent of the other sex and resolve the conflict by identifying with the same-sex parent. While Freud may be correct that early childhood is a critical time period for gender role development, there is very little evidence for his theory