Psychology 2035A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Pubic Hair, Gender Role, X Chromosome

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2035A/B
• Professor: Doug Hazlewood

Document Summary

Becoming male or female: the role of biology and socialization. Part 1: reproductive biology prenatal sexual differentiation (see also ch. 12: genetic factor: first step to becoming male or female, begins at conception (sperm fertilizes egg) Father"s sperm (x or y sex chromosome) Xy: genetic male: gonadal factor: development of reproductive organs (testes or ovaries, depends on presence/absence of y chrom. Y present: stimulates development of testes, inhibits development of ovaries: problem: true hermaphrodites . Genetic female, with tiny piece of y chromosome attached (xxy) Y chrom is big enough to stimulate development of testes, but not big enough to inhibit development of ovaries. Therefore, individual has both: hormonal factor: development of sex organs: penis or clitoris and vagina, testes produce androgens. When androgens are present, penis develops adam principle . When androgens are absent, clitoris and vagina develop eve principle : problem: adrenogenital syndrome . Genetic female with unusually active adrenal glands produce large quantities of androgens.