Differences between Sex & Gender (OCR A-Level Psychology): Revision Notes
10.1.1 Differences between Sex & Gender
Sex and gender. Sex-role stereotypes.
Sex: Refers to the biological differences between males and females, including chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males), hormones, and anatomy.
Gender: Refers to the psychological and cultural differences between males and females, encompassing attitudes, behaviours, and social roles.
Sex-Role Stereotypes
- Definition: A set of beliefs about what is considered appropriate or expected for males and females in a given society. These stereotypes are often reinforced by parents, peers, and cultural norms.
Case Study: The Batista Boys
The Batista boys were born as females but later revealed their male sex due to delayed production of dihydrotestosterone. Once their male sex was revealed, they quickly adopted male gender roles.
Implications: This case suggests that gender identity may be flexible and influenced by biological factors. However, it is important to consider cultural context—at the time, the Dominican Republic was a highly patriarchal society, where males were valued more than females. The boys were described as "little miracles" because they could bring more money into the family. Additionally, there is a possibility that the boys were never as comfortable as girls, and their upbringing may have differed from that of other females.
Research: Ingalhalikar et al. (2014)
Study: Ingalhalikar and colleagues conducted an MRI study on 949 males and females, mapping the connections between different parts of the brain.
Findings: The study found that females have significantly better connections between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, while males showed more intense activity in the cerebellum, which controls motor skills.
- Conclusion: The findings suggest that female brains may be hard-wired to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, whereas male brains may be better suited to focusing on a single complex task.