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SEX AND GENDER Key Concpets Sex-A biological term that tells us whether an individual is male of female. Gender-A psychological term taht tells us whether an individual is masculine, feminine or androgynous. | Masculinity-A gender term that is associated with male traits or roles. Femininty- A gender term which is associated with female traits or roles. Angrogyny-A type of gender where an individual shows high level of both masculine and feminine traits |
Core theory:Biological Approach The biological approach believes that a persons gender is decided at conception along with their sex. When a foetus is formed it has two chromosomes. Chromosomes are part of a cell that contain your genetic information. This pair of decide whether the foetus is male or female. Also the biological approach suggests that chromosomes decide if a child grows up to be masculine or feminine. The chromosomes that are associated with girls are XX and the chromosomes associated with boys are XY. Rarely babies get atypical chromosomes. For example if a boy gets the chromosomes of XXY, they tend to grown up to have more feminine traits as well as a feminine looking body. This shows the affect of chromosomes. | During pregnancy during the first 5 weeks the foetuses look the same. Their gonads(sex organs) are not different, as their gonads start to develop around the sixth week. The gonads start to develop as the chromosomes start to have an effect on them. The male hormone called Testosterone is made by the Y chromosome this helps the gonad develop into testes. Meanwhile without the Y chromosome in the female a hormone called oestrogen is produced this make the gonad develop into ovaries. Hormones are a chemical produced by the body that effects the cells and organs. |
Also the biological appraoch suggests that human behaviour is instictive and we have deveolped these insticts to help us survive and reproduce. Therefore gender roles are insticitve. Although males and females have physical diffeneces they also have pscychological differences that help to reproduce. For example women are coyer then men. This is because women only produce 400 eggs in their lifetime while men produce millions everyday. | Evolution can explain why women are more caring and sensitive as they have to care and raise children. While males had to provide for their families so had to be aggresive and competetive. Also males have better visual-spatial skills as it would of helped them hunt and find their way back home. Female on the other hand have better communication skills as they would have been teaching their children. |
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