Prenatal Hormone Difference - Essay Example

?Prenatal hormone difference Inserts His/ Her Inserts Grade Inserts (27, 04, Outline Introduction 2. How studies of females exposed to high testosterone levels prenatally contribute to our understanding of sex in behavior and cognition. 3. Conclusion Prenatal hormone difference 1. Introduction According to Hines (2010, p. 448), the concentration of testosterone is present beginning from eight weeks in gestation. The concentration is different in male and female fetus. The concentration levels have an impact on behavior and cognition later in life. Hormones influence the development of sex and choices in childhood. Exposure to testosterone affects gender identity, sexual orientation, personality, sexual cognition. Drawing from scholarly works, the research indicates that opposite sex twins are affected by high concentration of testosterone in the uterus. This essay will discuss how females who have been exposed to high testosterone prenatally demonstrate notable difference in behavior and cognition that females who have not been exposed to testosterone. 2. Discussion Prenatal exposure to high testosterone levels in female results in possession of masculine behaviors and cognition as Cohen-Bendahan et al (2005, p. 230) suggest. Connellan et al (2000, p. 113) says that differences in behavior are as a result of biological factors such as high testosterone exposure. Scholars use opposite sex twin and female twins to study the effect of testosterone on the female. The assumption is females with a male twin are exposed to testosterone through fluid exchange in the uterus. Heil (2011, p. 90) reveals that females born with an opposite sex twin outperform other female in memory, understanding, and problem solving techniques. The females had a high performance in mental rotation because they had been exposed to higher levels of testosterone prenatally (Heil2011, p. 90). In the early weeks of gestation, transfer of hormones between fraternal twins may occur. The transfer of testosterone occurs on the membrane, skin and placenta during gestation, from the male fetus to the female fetus. In the late stages of gestation, hormone transfer may be minimal since skin becomes developed and circulation of other fluids. Moreover, females who have a male sibling of close age indicated a higher mental rotation capability than the female who grew up with female siblings (Heil 2011, p. 90). The performance of the female fraternal twin with a brother was also higher than that of a female without a brother of a close age (Vuoksimaa et al 2010, p. 1070). Henderson & Berenbaum (1997, p. 115) argue that sex variation are not related to hormones or hormonal transfer (exposure to testosterone prenatally) at any period during gestation. Female and male children learn and emulate how children of same sex act (Pasterski 2011, p. 264). During certain stages, children have preference for playing toys that the opposite sexes have (Henderson & Berenbaum 1997, p. 115). Consequently, children who have been exposed to high levels of testosterone or adrenaline will tend to have greater interest in masculine playing objects than those who have not been exposed. Johannsen (2008, p. 1380) mentions that in their teen age and adulthood, females exposed to high levels of testosterone have a notable spatial ability. Jadva et al (2010, p. 1261) found out in their study that females pay attention to dolls while boys pay attention to cars irrespective of the color. Female children begin to love colors associated with the females – pink, for example. Female’s behavior may be as a result of socialization, as opposed to hormonal influence. Slutske et al (2010, p. 533) argue that exposure to testosterone does not have effects on behaviors such as adventure seeking and boredom susceptibility. Thus behavior is as a result of socialization where children learn to play their roles depending on their gender. Pasterski et al (2007, p. 358) reveal that females who have been exposed to testosterone are likely to be more aggressive than girls who were not exposed to testosterone. Boys are known to be more aggressive than girls. The activity level for girls who have been exposed to high levels of testosterone is high when compared to girls who have not been affected. Heil (2011, p. 91) adds that testosterone is considered to be the hormone that causes traits such as aggressiveness in children development. Accordingly, females who have been exposed to testosterone prenatally will demonstrate interest in toys given preference by boys (Heil 2011, p. 91). Mathews et al (2009, p. 286) note that differences in behavior arise from social roles related to gender. Males are described as aggressive and very active when compared with females. Children learn to associate with females and males as they play. Females affected by high levels of testosterone prenatally have similar preferences like male children as discussed by Pasterski et al (2011, p. 549). The females are keen on selecting a playmate on gender basis. When socializing, children learn to be with same sex playmates. The females exposed to testosterone select male partners while playing. They select toys that are associated with the male child such as construction and transport toys, rough play and active play. Pasterski (2011, p. 264) notes that females exposed to testosterone have cognitive abilities such as high attention levels, memory, constructing, and understanding langauge. The girls have a higher level of fluency than girls who have not been exposed. A conclusive explanation on whether behavior and cognition are affected by hormones or are part of socialization process remains important. Male and female have distinct behavior that can be studies (Pasterski et al 2011, p. 549). It is important to note that recognizable evidence conducted by scholars show that testosterone affects female children prenatally. According to Pasterski (2011, p. 264) teenage and reproductive records do not show remarkable difference between females who have been exposed to high levels of testosterone. 3. Conclusion Females exposed to testosterone prenatally possess masculine behavior and cognition. They show aggressiveness, preference for male toys, have increased activity, and rough play. The females who are exposed to high concentration may show spatial ability, sensation seeking, high mental rotation and improved fluency. It is argued that children are socialized and they learn the gender roles. The impact of testosterone on the females exposed prenatally cannot be overlooked since the masculine attributes are as a result of the exposure. References Cohen-Bendahan,C. C. C., Buitelaar, J. K., Goozen, S. H. M., Orlebeke, J. F., & Cohen- Kettenis, P. T. (2005). Is there an effect of prenatal testosterone on aggression and other behavioral traits? A study comparing same-sex and opposite-sex twin girls. Hormones and Behavior, 47, 230–37. Connellan, J., Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Batki A., & Ahluwalia, J. (2000). Sex differences in human neonatal social perception. Infant Behavior & Development 23,113- 118. Heil, M., Kavsek, M., Rolke, B., Beste, C., & Jansen, P. (2011). Mental rotation in female fraternal twins: Evidence for intra-uterine hormone transfer? 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