Gender Incongruence
Psychology: AQA A Level, topic 10.1.11
Gender Incongruence
Gender incongruence can arise from biological factors and social or cultural influences.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Test yourself on Gender Incongruence
Which factor is biological in influencing gender incongruence?