Behavior and Gender Identity
Interaction between Hormones and
Behavior Regarding Gender Identity
Dawn Bennett
7/27/2012
PSY/340
Gary Mayhew
Explain the interaction between hormones and behavior, and how these interactions affect the determination of gender identity.
Hormones and behavior affect gender identity in significant ways, each having a distinct
purpose and outcome. As hormones affect ones body biologically and physically, behavior is
constructed from environmental stimuli.
Biological factors play a large part in physical development. Hormones are responsible for
sending natural chemical messages. These hormones shape the appearance of physical characteristics. Some studies state that same sex hormones that determine sexual organ differentiation in utero have a significant involvement in shaping gender identity.
Human beings are sexually oriented by nature. Young children are taught preference when it comes to many things, one of them being personal sexuality and stereotypes regarding social sexuality. They observe specific behaviors concerning sexuality, whether it be; heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. They are exposed to differences in sexuality on television, in music, and in public places. Children are taught or guided to have specific opinions about personal preference and how comfortable they are with their bodies. Some are taught to believe that homosexuality is wrong and should not be tolerated, others are taught that it is simply a personal choice. A number of children are taught that masturbation is disgusting and one should feel guilty and ashamed if even thinking of it. Parents and families have a distinct, sometimes invisible power regarding how a child behaves sexually or how comfortable a child is with their body. Typically, children who have not had access to understanding, explanation, and personal freedoms in regards to sexuality and gender identity grow up discovering they have psychological issues with their bodies
Behavior Regarding Gender Identity
Dawn Bennett
7/27/2012
PSY/340
Gary Mayhew
Explain the interaction between hormones and behavior, and how these interactions affect the determination of gender identity.
Hormones and behavior affect gender identity in significant ways, each having a distinct
purpose and outcome. As hormones affect ones body biologically and physically, behavior is
constructed from environmental stimuli.
Biological factors play a large part in physical development. Hormones are responsible for
sending natural chemical messages. These hormones shape the appearance of physical characteristics. Some studies state that same sex hormones that determine sexual organ differentiation in utero have a significant involvement in shaping gender identity.
Human beings are sexually oriented by nature. Young children are taught preference when it comes to many things, one of them being personal sexuality and stereotypes regarding social sexuality. They observe specific behaviors concerning sexuality, whether it be; heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. They are exposed to differences in sexuality on television, in music, and in public places. Children are taught or guided to have specific opinions about personal preference and how comfortable they are with their bodies. Some are taught to believe that homosexuality is wrong and should not be tolerated, others are taught that it is simply a personal choice. A number of children are taught that masturbation is disgusting and one should feel guilty and ashamed if even thinking of it. Parents and families have a distinct, sometimes invisible power regarding how a child behaves sexually or how comfortable a child is with their body. Typically, children who have not had access to understanding, explanation, and personal freedoms in regards to sexuality and gender identity grow up discovering they have psychological issues with their bodies
References: http://www.examiner.com/article/gender-identity-and-biological-psychology http://genealogy.about.com/cs/geneticgenealogy/a/nature_nurture.htm http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2000/MAY/000512.HTM http://psychology.about.com/od/nindex/g/nature-nurture.htm http://www.sevencounties.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=37697&cn=1272