2. Biological Explanations
To Start: Gender-bread! 5 Minutes
You have 5 minutes to
make one gingerbread-
woman and one
gingerbread-man.
Think about what it means
to be male and female.
3. Biological Explanations
What is Gender? 5 Minutes
Gender: Who a person is
in terms of masculinity and
femininity.
Gender Identity: An individual’s
perception of themselves as
masculine or feminine.
Sex: Biological fact of
being a man or a woman
e.g. difference in genitals
at birth.
Sex Identity: Biological
Status
4. Today we will consider…
• What is ‘gender’ and how does it differ from sex?
• What is the relationship between biological sex and
gender, according to the biological approach?
• How do males and females differ in terms of
genetics, hormones and brain structure?
• What happens to gender when chromosomal
abnormality occurs?
Biological Explanations
6. Biological Explanations
Group Task 10 Minutes
In your groups consider the information presented to you on the fact sheet. The
sheet focuses on how either hormones or genetics play a role in gender
development. Two groups have hormones, two groups have genetics.
Use the information to fill out your learning table as a group. Allocate each person
one key term to focus on.
Apply this information to your character, as if they were a real person!
- How has their gender been determined according to the information on your
sheet?
- What makes them male/female in terms of hormones or genes?
- E.g. What chromosomes does Ken have? What hormones will Barbie have and
how have they caused her to develop a female gender?
Be as creative as you like but be prepared to share your work!
11. Biological Explanations
So…the big conclusion…
So the biological approach argues
that it is the physical differences in
sex, which cause gendered
behaviour. Men and women act
masculine and feminine because their
genes and hormones tell them to do
so.
But what happens to gender when
biological (chromosomal/hormonal)
abnormalities arise..?
12. Biological Explanations
Task: Article Treasure Hunt 5 Minutes
Read the article on the Barista
twins. Those who find the following
bits of key information and fill out
their sheet accordingly in ten
minutes, will earn a competition
point.
1) Who is the article about?
2) What happened to them?
3) What caused this?
4) How do they feel about this?
5) What does this mean in terms of
the biological approach to
gender development?
For early finishers: Think about how
this study could be evaluated…
13. Biological Explanations
To Finish: Exam Question (A01) 10 Minutes
Read the exam question answer.
Fill in the gaps.
With your partner decide:
1)What is good about the answer?
2)What could be improved?
3)What mark would you give it out of 5? Why?
