Chapter 3: The Nature and Nurture of Sex and Gender

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. As early as 1993, Biologist Ann Fausto-Sterling argued what about biological sex?

A. that at least five or more biological sexes should be recognized

B. that the cultural tendency to view sex as binary is largely correct

C. that there are actually three biological sexes

D. that the concept of biological sex is meaningless

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Nature and Nurture of Sex and Gender

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Each method of sex verification testing in athletics has shortcomings because ______.

A. biological sex is irrelevant to athletics

B. there are actually three distinct sexes

C. sex falls along a continuum from consistently female to consistently male

D. there are no reliable hormonal differences between males and females

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Nature and Nurture of Sex and Gender

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. A gene-by-environment interaction occurs when ______.

A. a genetic tendency emerges only under certain environmental circumstances

B. environmental factors influence personality regardless of genetic makeup

C. genetic predispositions emerge across different environments

D. environments pressure the selection of specific genes and traits

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gene-by-Environment Interactions

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Which of the following is the best example of a passive gene-by-environment interaction?

A. a genetically aggressive person choosing to consume violent media

B. a child with an active temperament who elicits rough-and-tumble play from his peers

C. genetically athletic parents who begin athletic training for their children at an early age

D. strengthened neural connections due to early experiences of aggressive play

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gene-by-Environment Interactions

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. Which of the following is the best example of nurture (environmental factors) influencing nature (biological differences)?

A. naturally artistic parents exposing their children to the arts at an early age

B. the finding that girls who experience higher family stress tend to have an earlier age of menstruation

C. the relationship between violent media exposure in childhood and aggression in adulthood

D. a genetically shy person deliberately choosing quieter environments

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gene-by-Environment Interactions

Difficulty Level: Medium

6. The findings from Caspi and colleagues’ (2003) longitudinal study on the environmental and genetic roots of depression best support which of the following interpretations?

A. Certain genetic predispositions make depression inevitable.

B. Genetic vulnerabilities and stressful environments combine to influence the prevalence of depression.

C. People suffering from depression most likely had frequent, highly stressful experiences early in life.

D. Depression spreads throughout social environments via emotional contagion.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gene-by-Environment Interactions

Difficulty Level: Medium

7. The study of biological mechanisms that guide whether or not certain genes get expressed or activated is called ______.

A. epigenetics

B. meta-genetics

C. eugenics

D. genetics

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Epigenetics

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. Which of the following is being studied to examine the ways in which bacteria and other microbes in human bodies influence physical and mental health, memory, attention, and even attraction and mating?

A. genetics

B. hormones

C. gut–brain axis

D. nerve–brain axis

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Microbiome

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. The complex series of processes that unfolds as embryos transition into an individual with male, female, or intersex genitalia is called ______.

A. sex selection

B. sex differentiation

C. gender assignment

D. genderization

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: How Do Nature and Nurture Shape Sex Differentiation?

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Which of the following best describes what determines a person’s biological sex?

A. their external genitalia

B. the specific combination of sex chromosomes (e.g., XX and XY)

C. a combination of chromosomes, genes, hormones, and internal and external sex organs

D. the combination of sex chromosomes and the external genitalia they produce

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. What type of chromosome contains genes that code for attributes such as eye color, hair color, and height?

A. allosome

B. autosome

C. unisome

D. sex chromosomes

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Which of the following is TRUE of chromosomes in the human body?

A. Every somatic cell contains 26 unpaired chromosomes.

B. All but one chromosome or chromosome pair are nonsex chromosomes.

C. Reproductive cells contain paired chromosomes.

D. Sperm cells provide a Y chromosome during fertilization.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. At the genetic level alone, female and male are defined by ______.

A. the presence of androgen

B. the presence of estrogen

C. the presence or absence of an X chromosome

D. the presence or absence of a Y chromosome

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. The ______ is(are) the sex organ(s) responsible for producing sex cells and hormones.

A. gonads

B. genitalia

C. genital ridge

D. genital tubercle

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. The gonads of female and male embryos begin to differ by sex in the ______ of development.

A. third month

B. second trimester

C. first week

D. sixth week

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

16. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the role of hormones in sex differentiation?

A. The genital ridge develops into male internal genitalia in the absence of androgens.

B. Gonads begin producing hormones by about the first week of gestation.

C. In genetic females, the ovaries produce many hormones prenatally.

D. Androgens initiate the biological masculinization in male genitalia.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Medium

17. Which of the following best describes sex differences in the production of testosterone?

A. Testosterone is the male hormone while estrogen and progesterone are the female hormones.

B. Both sexes produce testosterone, but males produce much more during certain phases of development.

C. Sex differences in testosterone are a common misconception. Both sexes produce equal amounts of testosterone.

D. At certain phases of development, males produce more testosterone, but in other phases, females produce far more.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Medium

18. Which of the following chromosomal condition is typically represented with a female gender identity, fertile, taller than average, and female-typical anatomy and an increased risk for learning disabilities?

A. Turner’s syndrome

B. Triple X syndrome

C. Klinefelter syndrome

D. Jacob’s syndrome

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Easy

19. Based on both atypical and typical chromosomal patterns, what relationship appears to exist between chromosomal patterns and gender identity?

A. The presence of a Y chromosome strongly predicts a male gender identity.

B. The presence of an X chromosome strongly predicts a female gender identity.

C. The presence of a third chromosome predicts male gender identity.

D. People with atypical chromosomal patterns tend to identify as female.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. Which of the following is TRUE of genetic females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)?

A. They often undergo feminization surgery of their genitalia in infancy.

B. Most ultimately identify as male.

C. They play with female-typical toys more than their sisters without a clash.

D. They show high levels of satisfaction with their sex assignment.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. People with conditions that make the cells of the body less responsive to androgens tend to ______.

A. only affect the gender identity of females

B. appear female at birth and develop a female gender identity

C. develop gender identities inconsistent with their genetic sex if female

D. be born with enlarged genitalia

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. Which of the following is TRUE of the relationship between culture and the experiences of intersex individuals?

A. Intersex individuals are at increased risk of violence in any culture.

B. Western countries tend to be more inclusive of intersex individuals.

C. All cultures tend to respond to intersexuality in the same manner.

D. Social and legal exclusion of intersex individuals is unrelated to violence toward them.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Medium

23. ______ refers to the binary sex that doctors and parents perceive as the best option for newborn infants whose genitalia appear atypical.

A. Optimal sex

B. Target sex

C. Biological sex

D. Socialized sex

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Optimal Sex

Difficulty Level: Easy

24. John Money’s optimal sex policy at Johns Hopkins University reflected his belief that ______.

A. gender identity is primarily driven by genetic sex

B. gender identity doesn’t begin forming until adolescence

C. social factors can override any role that biology plays in gender identity

D. physical appearance may not be consistent with assigned sex

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Optimal Sex

Difficulty Level: Medium

25. Professionals today reject optimal sex policies on ethical grounds. Which of the following recommendations would professionals most likely to make to parents who give birth to an intersex child?

A. consider surgery to ensure the physical appearance is consistent with assigned sex

B. offer treatments to ensure typical hormone levels for the child

C. recommend postponing any treatments until the child becomes old enough to contribute to the decision

D. advise parents to select the sex and raise their child as that sex

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Optimal Sex

Difficulty Level: Hard

26. Which of the following best describes the case story of David Reimer, a genetic boy raised a girl?

A. Reimer’s story is a perfect example of John Money’s views on gender identity.

B. Reimer’s story indicates that gender identity cannot be entirely shaped by socialization.

C. Reimer experienced no psychological trauma from being raised as a girl.

D. Reimer’s story is inconsistent with larger studies of intersex individuals.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Medium

27. The Meyer-Bahlburg (2005) study of genetic males who were raised as female found that ______.

A. 0.6% experienced symptoms of gender dysphoria

B. they were 37 times more likely to be transgender than the U.S. population as a whole

C. most failed to develop the female gender identity they were socialized to adopt

D. chromosomes and hormones are a more dominant influence upon gender identity than socialization

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Easy

28. Which best describes the implications of the Meyer-Bahlburg (2005) study (examining genetic males raised as females) for the nature versus nurture debate as it relates to the development of gender identity?

A. Biological variables are a stronger influence than socialization.

B. Chromosomes and hormones rarely override the influence of socialization and rearing.

C. It is not possible to distinguish between biological (nature) and social (nurture) variables when studying gender identity development.

D. Nurture variables (e.g., rearing) have strong effects upon gender identity, but they can be overridden by nature variables (e.g., chromosomes and hormones).

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Medium

29. A(n) ______ is a statistic that specifies the proportion of total population variance in a given trait that is due to genetic differences among the people in the population.

A. genetic effect size

B. inherited ratio

C. epigenetic variance

D. heritability estimate

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Easy

30. What does it mean if the heritability estimate of conscientiousness in a population is .27?

A. Out of 100 people, approximately 27 will have inherited traits for high conscientiousness.

B. Twenty-seven percent of an individual’s conscientiousness traits are explained by their genes.

C. Genes explain 27% of the population variance in conscientiousness.

D. Twenty-seven percent of the population will have conscientiousness traits explained entirely by their genes.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Medium

31. Heritability estimates are calculated by ______.

A. comparing the similarity of monozygotic and dizygotic twins

B. correlating the presence of specific genes with traits in a population

C. manipulating the social environment in which dizygotic twins are raised

D. administering hormones to one twin in a monozygotic pair

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Medium

32. Studies providing heritability estimates for gender identity suggest that ______.

A. biological factors primarily contribute to gender identity status

B. social factors primarily contribute to gender identity status

C. the heritability of gender identity is similar to the heritability of major personality traits

D. socialization determines gender identity but only in the presence of specific chromosomal and hormonal patterns

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Medium

33. Which of the following is TRUE of studies examining the heritability of masculine and feminine traits?

A. For men, approximately 20%–48% of their masculine traits is explained by genes.

B. Feminine traits are more heritable than masculine traits.

C. They find no genetic influences on sex-typed preferences for toys among children.

D. Around 65%–67% of the population variance in feminine and masculine traits is explained by social and environmental factors.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Easy

34. In a review of longitudinal studies, White et al. (2016) found what effects of hormone treatments among Transwomen and Transmen?

A. Transmen showed significant declines in their physical health.

B. Both transmen and transwomen showed significant decreases in anxiety and depression.

C. Transwomen showed increased rates of depression while transmen showed decreased rates.

D. Hormone treatments had no effects on mental health.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Confirmation Procedures

Difficulty Level: Easy

35. Gender confirmation procedures refer to ______.

A. a set of procedures (e.g., surgery) designed to align one’s physical body with gender identity

B. psychological treatment designed to change one’s gender identity to be consistent with biological sex

C. feminization or masculinization procedures given to intersex infants at birth

D. the process of determining and assigning gender to newborns

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Confirmation Procedures

Difficulty Level: Easy

36. Which of the following is TRUE of sex differences in brain size?

A. Female brains are on average 11% larger in volume than males.

B. Women tend to have larger frontal pole cortexes (responsible for planning and decision making).

C. Women tend to have large left hippocampus (responsible for memory, learning, and emotion).

D. Women’s left hemispheres are slightly larger when body size is taken into account.

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Sex Differences in the Brain

Difficulty Level: Easy

37. MRI allows researchers to look at brain ______ and fMRI allows them to examine brain ______.

A. activity; function

B. activity; hormones

C. hormones; function

D. structures; activity

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Sex Differences in the Brain

Difficulty Level: Easy

38. What is meant by neural plasticity?

A. the various stages of neural development from birth to early adulthood

B. the vulnerability of specific brain structures to hormonal imbalances

C. the brain’s ability to generate new neurons in adulthood

D. the brain’s ability to reorganize physically in response to life experiences and environmental factors

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Sex Differences in the Brain

Difficulty Level: Easy

39. Lotze et al. (2019) found that, compared to women, men tend to show greater volume in the left amygdala (a part of the limbic system involved in processing and expressing emotions, especially fear). What can be concluded from this finding?

A. Sex differences in fear expression are more driven by nature than nurture.

B. Men tend to have better memories of highly emotional experiences.

C. Men will generally feel more afraid than women.

D. This finding alone is not indicative of any meaningful sex differences in emotional experiences.

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Sex Differences in the Brain

Difficulty Level: Hard

40. When Cordelia Fine introduced the concept of neurosexism in her 2010 book, Delusions of Gender, what did she mean by it?

A. People tend to interpret neuroscience research in ways that reinforce gender stereotypes.

B. The field of neuroscience is unwelcoming to female colleagues.

C. The bulk of sex differences in brain structures actually give women a slight cognitive edge.

D. Studying sex differences in neuroanatomy is inherently damaging to women’s progress.

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Neuroscience or Neurosexism?

Difficulty Level: Easy

41. According to evolutionary psychology, in what contexts should sex differences emerge?

A. in domains in which women and men historically faced different adaptive problems

B. for behaviors that are rewarded differently for men and women by cultures

C. in traits that only helped males or females attract as many mates as possible

D. for capacities that helped detect predators and immediate threats in the environment

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Medium

42. Throughout evolutionary history, women have faced unique challenges when it comes to ______ while men have faced the challenge of ______.

A. foraging; hunting

B. paternity uncertainty; commitment to children

C. bearing children; paternity uncertainty

D. spatial reasoning; linguistics

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Easy

43. Which of the following traits is the best example of a trait that would give an organism a competitive edge with respect to intrasexual selection?

A. the ornate, colorful plumage of peacocks

B. the head-butting horns of bighorn sheep

C. the manes of lions

D. the elaborate songs and whistles of birds

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Hard

44. For what reason does evolutionary psychology argue women are more selective than men when choosing mates?

A. Women have low expectations for their enjoyment of sexual intimacy.

B. Women have to invest more in producing offspring.

C. Women can never be completely sure who the father of their child is.

D. Women’s roles in human societies tend to be less risky and allow them to take their time in selecting mates.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Medium

45. Relative to women, men tend to prefer mates who are ______, while women tend to value ______ more than men.

A. high status; sense of humor

B. educated; physical attractiveness

C. young; sexual fidelity

D. physically attractive; access to resources

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Easy

46. According to evolutionary psychology, which quality should both sexes be equally likely to rate as essential in a mate?

A. assertiveness

B. emotional stability

C. attractiveness

D. social status

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Medium

47. Evolutionary psychology faces a challenge to its scientific merit because ______.

A. the theory of natural selection has undergone recent revisions as our understanding of genetics has advanced

B. it does not contribute any meaningful hypotheses regarding same-sex relationships

C. its predictions can be speculative and difficult to test empirically

D. there is evidence of increased bias in the field of evolutionary psychology

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Medium

48. According to biosocial constructionist theory, the key to understanding sex differences and similarities between men and women is ______.

A. the division of labor in society

B. to examine the different problems men and women faced in ancient cultures

C. how early childhood experiences affect the prevalence of different hormones during development

D. to examine how men and women respond to social hierarchies in modern society

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Biosocial Constructionist Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

49. Contemporary Western societies have seen decreases in physically demanding jobs and increases in cognitively oriented jobs. What outcome does biosocial constructionist theory predict this change would have upon sex differences?

A. It should reinforce gender stereotypes as women and men are free to pursue their preferences.

B. Women should see increases in their intellectual abilities relative to men.

C. Men should become more competitive as the job market is more saturated.

D. Expectations for women to stay in child-rearing and nurturing social roles should decrease.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Biosocial Constructionist Theory

Difficulty Level: Hard

50. Which of the following best describes a key difference in the predictions made by evolutionary psychology and biosocial constructionist theory?

A. Biosocial constructionist theory argues that changes in cultural gender stereotypes can occur more rapidly than evolutionary psychology predicts.

B. Biosocial constructionist theory posits that sex differences are affected by both biology and culture whereas evolutionary psychology does not.

C. Evolutionary psychology predicts sex differences in the volume of brain structures, but this is inconsistent with biosocial constructionist theory.

D. Evolutionary psychology predicts sex differences in assertiveness and risk-taking, while biosocial constructionist theory argues there are no differences in psychological variables.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Biosocial Constructionist Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. Epigenetics research demonstrates that a mother’s diet, sleep patterns, or stress levels during pregnancy may affect gene expression in her offspring.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Epigenetics

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. The story of David Reimer, a genetic boy raised as a girl, is consistent with John Money’s assumption that nurture overrides nature in determining individuals’ gender identity.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. There is little cultural variability in the treatment and acceptance of intersex and transgender individuals.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Nature and Nurture of Sex and Gender

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Most scientists today agree that nurture rather than nature is the primary factor influencing sex and gender.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Nature Versus Nurture or Nature and Nurture?

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. By looking at either external genitalia or sex chromosomes, scientists can accurately determine a person’s sex.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. Throughout most of childhood, boys and girls do not differ much in their hormone levels.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Genetic males with complete androgen insensitivity typically develop a female gender identity.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. Gender identity is roughly as heritable as major aspects of personality.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. White et al.’s (2016) longitudinal study of transgender people seeking gender confirmation procedures found that initiating hormone treatments increased anxiety and depression symptoms.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gender Confirmation Procedures

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. The sizes of brain structures are reliable predictors of meaningful behavioral and psychological sex differences.

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Sex Differences in the Brain

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. Sex differences in brain structures are indicative of innate, biological differences between female and male individuals.

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Equating the Brain With “Nature”

Difficulty Level: Medium

12. According to evolutionary psychology, paternity uncertainty is a primary reproductive problem that men have adapted to.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. Eagly and Wood (1999) find that cultures with high gender equality exhibit smaller sex differences in mating preferences based on status and earning potential.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. According to biosocial constructionist theory, sex differences in traits related to warmth and assertiveness emerge from how societies divide labor.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biosocial Constructionist Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

15. Biosocial constructionist theory argues that sex differences in psychological factors such as personality traits, mating preferences, and jealousy are not genetically heritable.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Biosocial Constructionist Theory

Difficulty Level: Easy

Short Answer

1. What is meant by a gene-by-environment interaction?

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Gene-by-Environment Interactions

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. Briefly describe how epigenetics explains why identical twins, who are typically genetic copies of each other, nonetheless differ in subtle ways.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Explain how nature and nurture interactively contribute to the development of sex and gender.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Epigenetics

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. What is the difference between autosomes and allosomes?

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. During what periods of development are there NO sex differences in the presence of testosterone?

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Typical Sex Differentiation

Difficulty Level: Easy

5. Briefly describe Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH). How is the gender identity of genetic females with CAH similar to or different from non-CAH females?

Learning Objective: 3.2: Explain how chromosomes, genes, and hormones shape sex differentiation in both typical and atypical (intersex) cases.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Intersex Conditions

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. Juan is reading an academic article claiming that the heritability of intelligence is approximately 63%. He interprets this as meaning that in explaining the average person’s intelligence, roughly 63% of that person’s intelligence is inherited or caused by their genes. It is Juan’s interpretation correct? Why or why not?

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Gender Identity

Difficulty Level: Hard

7. Describe a few qualities human males evolved to give them an upper hand in intersexual selection and explain why they are examples of intersexual selection specifically.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Evolutionary Psychology

Difficulty Level: Medium

Essay

1. Consider both John Money’s optimal sex policy and the case story of David Reimer. Are the assumptions of John Money’s policy consistent or inconsistent with David Reimer’s experience? What does each imply about the role of nature and nurture in determining individuals’ gender identity? Provide an example of how John Money’s might recommend parents respond to the birth of an intersex child. Lastly, indicate whether or not David Reimer’s story might suggest recommendations different from John Money’s optimal sex policy.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Analyze the biological and sociocultural factors that shape sex assignment and gender identity.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Optimal Sex

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Does the existence of sex differences in brain structure necessitate a stronger role of nature than nurture in causing these differences? Explain why or why not. Discuss both neural plasticity and dynamic systems theory in your answer.

Learning Objective: 3.4: Evaluate evidence for sex differences in the brain and the prevalence of neurosexism.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Equating the Brain with “Nature”

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Explain both evolutionary psychology’s and biosocial constructionist theory’s accounts of the role of nature and nurture in sex differences. Discuss where their predictions about sex differences diverge.

Learning Objective: 3.5: Examine the roles of nature and nurture in theories of the origins of sex differences.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Biosocial Constructionist Theory

Difficulty Level: Medium