Discuss Biological Explanations Of Gender Development 1 
Discuss biological explanations of gender development
The biological explanation of gender development enforces the idea that the role of genes and hormones are the main contributors towards the development of a child's gender. Male and females think and act differently because of differences in how their brains work. Women have two X chromosomes whereas men have an X and a Y chromosome. The androgens also cause the male brain to develop differently from the female. A bio psychologist would argue that it is these differences in brain development and the differences in brain activity that cause men to behave differently from women (e.g. acting more aggressively).
Testosterone, which is produced in greater quantities by men, affects several types of behaviour, some of which are regarded as ‘typically male’. For example, Dabbs et al (1995) found that violent offenders had higher testosterone levels than non-violent offenders. The biological approach does seems to be supported by the case study of David Reimer. Money (1975) case study of David was that he was brought up as a girl after an accident that his penis was castrated. They viewed gender as being neutral until around the age of three, and believed that any child could have their gender changed.
They encouraged the Reimer’s to bring David up as a girl; Brenda. Despite being socialised as a girl, David always felt ´different' and was relieved to know and live his life as a male. In other words, his genes had influenced his gender identity.
They favour laboratory experiments because of the control they offer, and they often use animal as a model for understanding behavioural processes in humans. For example, Gorski et al (1985)b injected female rats with testosterone for a period prior to birth. After they were born their appearance and behaviour was compared with a control group of females whose testosterone levels had been normal. The experimental group had masculinised genitals (e.g. an enlarged
The biological explanation of gender development enforces the idea that the role of genes and hormones are the main contributors towards the development of a child's gender. Male and females think and act differently because of differences in how their brains work. Women have two X chromosomes whereas men have an X and a Y chromosome. The androgens also cause the male brain to develop differently from the female. A bio psychologist would argue that it is these differences in brain development and the differences in brain activity that cause men to behave differently from women (e.g. acting more aggressively).
Testosterone, which is produced in greater quantities by men, affects several types of behaviour, some of which are regarded as ‘typically male’. For example, Dabbs et al (1995) found that violent offenders had higher testosterone levels than non-violent offenders. The biological approach does seems to be supported by the case study of David Reimer. Money (1975) case study of David was that he was brought up as a girl after an accident that his penis was castrated. They viewed gender as being neutral until around the age of three, and believed that any child could have their gender changed.
They encouraged the Reimer’s to bring David up as a girl; Brenda. Despite being socialised as a girl, David always felt ´different' and was relieved to know and live his life as a male. In other words, his genes had influenced his gender identity.
They favour laboratory experiments because of the control they offer, and they often use animal as a model for understanding behavioural processes in humans. For example, Gorski et al (1985)b injected female rats with testosterone for a period prior to birth. After they were born their appearance and behaviour was compared with a control group of females whose testosterone levels had been normal. The experimental group had masculinised genitals (e.g. an enlarged