Atypical gender development: gender dysphoria; biological and social explanations for gender dysphoria.

What is Gender Dysphoria?

• Condition in which a person’s biological sex does not match their gender identity.
• Causes distress and discomfort regarding biological sex.

Why does Gender Dysphoria Occur?

• Biological and social explanations have been proposed.
• Modern psychologists often favour an interactionist explanation.

What is the Biological Explanation of Gender Dysphoria?

• Gender dysphoria may result from biological factors.
• Includes brain structure and genetic explanations.

What is Brain-Sex Theory?

• Suggests gender identity is influenced by brain structure.
• The brain may develop differently from biological sex.

What is the BSTc?

• Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis.
• Brain region associated with gender identity.

How does Brain-Sex Theory Explain Gender Dysphoria?

• Brain structures may develop in line with the opposite sex.
• Creates a mismatch between biological sex and gender identity.

Who was Zhou et al.?

• Researchers who investigated brain structure in transgender individuals.
• Studied the BSTc.

Zhou et al. — Aim

• Investigate whether brain structure is related to gender identity.
• Examine the BSTc in transgender individuals.

Zhou et al. — Procedure

• Conducted post-mortem examinations.
• Compared BSTc structures of transgender and non-transgender individuals.

Zhou et al. — Findings

• Male-to-female transgender individuals had BSTc structures more similar to females than males.
• Suggested gender identity may be linked to brain structure.

Zhou et al. — Conclusion

• Supports the brain-sex theory of gender dysphoria.
• Suggests biological factors influence gender identity.

What is the Genetic Explanation of Gender Dysphoria?

• Gender dysphoria may be influenced by inherited genetic factors.
• Genes may contribute to gender identity development.

How does the Genetic Explanation Explain Gender Dysphoria?

• Certain genes may increase the likelihood of developing gender dysphoria.
• Genetic influences may affect gender identity.

Who were Coolidge et al.?

• Researchers who investigated genetic influences on gender dysphoria.
• Conducted a twin study.

Coolidge et al. — Aim

• Investigate whether genetic factors contribute to gender dysphoria.
• Compare concordance rates in twins.

Coolidge et al. — Procedure

• Compared gender dysphoria in monozygotic and dizygotic twins.
• Examined concordance rates.

Coolidge et al. — Findings

• Gender dysphoria was more common among identical twins than non-identical twins.
• Suggested a genetic influence.

Coolidge et al. — Conclusion

• Supports the genetic explanation of gender dysphoria.
• Suggests heredity may influence gender identity.

What is the Social Explanation of Gender Dysphoria?

• Gender dysphoria may develop through social and family experiences.
• Focuses on environmental influences.

Who was Stoller?

• Psychologist who proposed a psychodynamic explanation of gender dysphoria.
• Emphasised family relationships.

Stoller — Explanation of Gender Dysphoria

• Gender dysphoria may result from an over-close relationship with the mother.
• Combined with an emotionally distant father.

How does Stoller’s Explanation Explain Gender Dysphoria?

• Child may fail to identify with the same-sex parent.
• This may disrupt normal gender development.

What is the Social Construction Explanation of Gender Dysphoria?

• Gender is shaped by social expectations and cultural influences.
• Gender dysphoria may arise when individuals feel they do not fit traditional gender roles.

How does Social Construction Explain Gender Dysphoria?

• Society creates expectations about masculinity and femininity.
• Conflict with these expectations may contribute to gender dysphoria.

Biological Explanation Evaluation — Research Support

• Zhou et al. found BSTc differences in transgender individuals.
• Supports the brain-sex explanation.

Why does Research Support Strengthen the Biological Explanation?

• Provides evidence linking brain structure to gender identity.
• Supports biological influences on gender dysphoria.

Biological Explanation Evaluation — Twin Study Support

• Coolidge et al. found higher concordance rates in identical twins.
• Supports the genetic explanation.

Why does Twin Research Strengthen the Biological Explanation?

• Suggests genetic factors contribute to gender dysphoria.
• Supports heredity as an influence on gender identity.

Biological Explanation Evaluation — Cause and Effect Problem

• Brain differences may be a consequence rather than a cause of gender dysphoria.
• Causation cannot be established.

Why does the Cause and Effect Problem Weaken the Biological Explanation?

• It is unclear whether biological differences cause gender dysphoria.
• Limits the validity of biological explanations.

Social Explanation Evaluation — Environmental Influences Considered

• Recognises the role of family experiences and socialisation.
• Highlights environmental influences on development.

Why does Considering Environmental Influences Strengthen the Social Explanation?

• Gender development is influenced by social experiences.
• Provides a broader explanation than purely biological theories.

Social Explanation Evaluation — Limited Research Support

• Little evidence supports Stoller’s explanation.
• Many individuals with similar family experiences do not develop gender dysphoria.

Why does Limited Research Support Weaken the Social Explanation?

• Family experiences alone cannot fully explain gender dysphoria.
• Reduces confidence in the explanation.

Social Explanation Evaluation — Oversimplification

• Focuses heavily on family relationships.
• May ignore biological influences on gender identity.

Why does Oversimplification Weaken the Social Explanation?

• Gender dysphoria is likely influenced by multiple factors.
• Family experiences alone may not provide a complete explanation.

Why is an Interactionist Explanation of Gender Dysphoria More Realistic?

• Gender dysphoria is likely influenced by both biological and social factors.
• Combines nature and nurture explanations.
• Provides a more comprehensive account of gender identity development.