Gender: Gender Dysphoria

Question 1

Name the 2 Explanations in Gender Dysphoria

Answer 1

> Psychosocial explanation

> Biological Explanations

Question 2

Explain Mental Illness in the Psychosocial explanation of GD

Answer 2

Gender Dysphoria is related to mental illness. This is linked to some childhood trauma or maladaptive trauma.

Question 3

Name the study which looked into mental illness and GD

Answer 3

Coates et al.

Question 4

Explain Coates et al.’s findings

Answer 4

Coates et al. studied a boy who developed GID, proposing this was a defensive reaction to the boy’s mother’s depression following an abortion. Coates et al. suggest that the trauma may have led to a cross-gender fantasy, as a means of resolving the ensuing anxiety.

Question 5

Explain Mother-Son relationships in the Psychosocial explanation of GD

Answer 5

Stoller proposed that GID results from distorted parents attitudes. In clinical, Stoller observed that they displayed overly close mother-son relationships. This would be likely to lead to greater female identification and confused gender identity.

Question 6

Explain Mismatch between hormones and genetic sex in the Biological explanation of GD

Answer 6

Prenatal hormone levels may be affected by genetic conditions and this may lead to a mismatch between hormones and genetic sex. AIS and CAH, may result in an intersex condition when external genitalia do not match genetic sex

Question 7

Explain the Transexual gene in the Biological explanation of GD

Answer 7

Some individuals are born with a transexual gene. Hare et al. studied 112 M+F’s transexuals and found a version of the androgen receptor gene that causes reduced action of the male sex hormone testosterone. This may have an effect on gender development in the womb (e.g. under-masculinising the brain) which would create dysphoria.

Question 8

Name a study which supports the Psychosocial Explanations of GD

Answer 8

Thailand Kathoeys

Question 9

Explain the case of Kathoeys in Thailand

Answer 9

In Thailand, kathoeys have male genetalia but dress as women’s clothing. The katheoys are a 3rd sex which is accepted by society. Gender dysphoria seems to have lower levels if not non-existent in some cultures. This supports psychosocial explanations because this is how people treat each other in this culture, it is not due to genes or biology.

Question 10

Name a study which supports the Biological Explanations of GD

Answer 10

Hare et al.

Question 11

Explain Hare’s findings

Answer 11

Examined gene sample of male with gender dysphoria and males without gender dysphoria. Significant correlation found between those with GID and variants on the androgen receptor gene

Question 12

AID: Real World Application

Answer 12

Research into gender dysphoria has real-world applications. It is very important in providing information about the effects of erroneous sex assignments and determining the best solutions to such problems. Various organisations campaigning for the rights of intersex individuals rely on research evidence to show both biological and social influences on gender self-concepts e,g, OII (Organisation Intersex International) campaign for the rights of intersex individuals.

Question 13

AID: Socially Sensitive Research

Answer 13

Another consideration is the socially sensitive nature of this research. It may be good for transsexuals if a biological cause is identified as this may help people to be more accepting of their problems (i.e. it is not a ‘choice’). Alternatively, if a biological cause is identified this may harm individuals born with a related abnormality as it may be wrongly assumed that gender dysphoria is inevitable.