11.2.11

Gender Incongruence

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Gender Incongruence

Gender incongruence can arise from biological factors and social or cultural influences.

Illustrative background for Gender incongruence Illustrative background for Gender incongruence  ?? "content

Gender incongruence

  • Gender incongruence is when a person’s experienced or expressed gender does not align with the biological sex they were assigned at birth.
Illustrative background for Biological explanationsIllustrative background for Biological explanations ?? "content

Biological explanations

  • Chromosomes and hormones influence the development of biological sex.
  • Variations in sex development (e.g., Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome) can affect physical characteristics and sex-typical behaviours.
  • Biological factors may contribute to feelings of gender incongruence.
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Social and cultural explanations

  • Social and cultural environments shape gender identity and expression.
  • Influences include family, peers, media, and wider cultural norms.
  • Children may observe, imitate, and be reinforced for behaviours culturally associated with a gender role.
  • Gender incongruence is multifactorial, with both biological and social/cultural factors contributing.
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Case Study: Alex

  • Biological factors: Alex has XY chromosomes but was born with partial androgen insensitivity (PAIS), affecting genital development.
  • Social factors: Alex’s family and school encourage exploration of activities and clothing typically associated with girls.
  • Outcome: Alex identifies as a gender different from assigned sex at birth.
  • Both biological differences and social/cultural influences contribute to gender incongruence.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4(2026 Exams) Psychopathology

5(2027 Exams) Clinical Psychology & Mental Health

6Approaches in Psychology

7Biopsychology

8Research Methods

8.1Research Methods

8.2Scientific Processes

8.3Data Handling & Analysis

8.4Inferential Testing

9Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

10Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10.1Relationships: Sexual Relationships (A2 only)

10.2Relationships: Romantic Relationships (A2 only)

10.3(2026 Exams) Relationships: Virtual (A2 only)

10.4(2027 Exams) Relationships: Online (A2 only)

11Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

12Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

13Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

14Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

15Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

16Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

17Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

18Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

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