Psychology 2035A/B Lecture 2: Becoming Male and Female – The Role of Biology and Socialization

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

Document Summary

Psychology 2035 becoming male and female the role of biology and socialization. Part 1 reproductive biology prenatal sexual differentiation. Begins at the moment of conception when a sperm fertilizes an egg: mothers egg x" sex chromosome. Father"s sperm x" or y" sex chromosome. If x sperm fertilizes egg genetic female (xx) If y sperm fertilizes egg genetic male (xy) This is the genetic factor the first step towards becoming a male or female. The gonadal factor the development of reproductive organs: testes or ovaries dependent on the y chromosome: whether it is present or absent. True hermaphrodites (intersex): genetic female (xx); with a tiny piece of a y chromosome attaches itself to the xx chromosome xxy. The y chromosome is big enough to stimulate the development of testes, but not big enough to inhibit development of ovaries therefore both testes and ovaries are present. The hormonal factor the development of sex organs: penis or clitoris.