Psychological androgyny and gender dysphoria

A2 Psychology

What you will be able to do...

Explain what is meant by androgyny, the androgyny hypothesis and gender dysphoria

Describe research into the link between androgyny and mental health

Understand models of the development of androgyny

Explain research into dysphoria

Key terms

AndrogynyAndrogyny hypothesisGender dysphoria

Try to define these terms

Explaining androgyny

Rogers & Rogers (2001)

reviewed different explanations

of the development of androgyny

Androgyny is believed to be a

conscious and deliberate choice

made by those who reject traditional ideas of gender

Most explanations were developed in the 1970s and 1980s, which saw gender equality come to the forefront as in issue

Models of androgyny‘Conjoint models’Bem (1974) and Spence et al (1975)Thought a balance of masculine and

feminine traits were healthy and desirable in a personality

Lead to the Androgyny Hypothesis (Bem, 1975)

The Androgyny Hypothesis (Bem, 1975)Claimed that androgynous individuals

were psychologically healthier than sex-typed individuals

The conjoint models produced a description of the benefits of androgyny, but did not attempt to explain the possible causes

Olds (1981)

Suggested that androgyny is

an additional developmental

stage that only some people reachThis means that they have developed

beyond the acceptance of traditional sex roles

This is like Bem’s schema theory – androgyny happens when one can see the world without gender stereotypes

Behavioural Models

Orlofsky (1977)Androgyny is a form of behaviour or actionDemonstrated by what people do NOT

what they thinkSees androgyny as a way of lifeSkills gained are both masculine

and feminine (practical/leadership

and nurturance)Lifestyle choice

Support for Bem’s ideas

Bem and Lenney (1976)Androgyny does mean psychological

health

Zeldow et al (1985)Found those with the most masculine

items on the scale were better adjusted overall

Criticism of Bem

Hollway (2002) – Feminist PsychologistThinks Bem’s ideas imply that people

need to change their ways of thinking and world view

She argues that it is social change in male/female power that is needed

She also thinks that male characteristics are not desirable for women, contrary to Bem

More evaluation

Old’s developmental model does not consider how and why some people reach this additional developmental stage

The same criticism stands for the lifestyle models

Gender Dysphoria

Research into gender dysphoria

Those with gender dysphoria experience conflict between biological sex and gender identity

Often referred to as transsexuals

Gender dysphoria is the core symptom of Gender Identity Disorder (GID)

First recognised in 1980 in DSMRare condition (1 in 11000)

If the four diagnostic criteria in the (DSM-IV-TR) are met a diagnosis of GID can be made

The criteria are:Long-standing and strong identification with another

genderLong-standing disquiet about the sex assigned or a sense

of incongruity in the gender-assigned role of that sexThe diagnosis is not made if the individual also has

physical intersex characteristics.Significant clinical discomfort or impairment at work, social

situations, or other important life areas.

Studying Gender Identity DisorderComparison of those with GID and those

withoutDrummond et al (2008) identified the two

main research methods:-Retrospective case studies – examining the

past of those with GID (Issues include memory bias, selective recall)

Prospective studies – following a group though childhood to early adulthood to map change and development, could include children who are showing cross-gender behaviour

Research findings

Gender dysphoria diminishes over adolescence and early adulthood

Most children showing cross-gender behaviour do not go on to request sex changes

Green (1997) Studied 44 boys referred to a clinic for strong

feminine behaviourCompared them to 30 boys in an age-matched

control groupFollow-up at age 18 found that

just 1 of the 44 had remained

gender dysphoric and opted

for gender reassignment surgery

Zucker (2005) found similar

results

Drummond et al (2008) GID study

Procedure30 girls referred to a Gender Identity clinic

aged 2-3yrsAt 7yrs free play was observed, a

playmate preference questionnaire issued and sex-typed behaviours were measured

At 18yrs, current gender identity, sexual orientation and fantasies and desire to be/live as a man were investigated

Drummond et al (2008) cont...

Findings88% of the girls who had shown strong

GID aged 7yrs, did not show signs at 18 yrs

12% of the sample continued to show gender dysphoria

Support the idea of the decrease in GID with age that Zucker (2005) and Green (1997) found

Drummond et al ....

ConclusionCross-gender identification in childhood

may be a risk factor for later GIDThere is a lack of clear continuity between

childhood and adulthoodOther factors may be more important

Drummond et al...... Evaluation

Methodological issuesProspective study – does not rely on

memory and not subject to bias

Ethical issuesVery sensitive areaNeed for balance of provision of treatment

and researching the causes

Questions Describe the main characteristics of

androgyny and gender dysphoria

Outline two explanations of the development of androgyny

Evaluate some of the criticisms of research into androgyny and gender dysphoria