Developmental psychology- - Essay Example

Developmental Psychology The biological approach of development presents strengths and weaknesses in its endeavorto explain gender development. One pro of the biological approach is that it adopts a very scientific approach of explaining the gender. The theory has attempted to describe the process of gender development as emanating from conception while providing a convincing basis. This proposition can be verified either through determination of hormonal levels or through the distinction of the X and Y chromosomes.

As noted by Author, date (P. 171), “there is no dispute that males and females have different chromosomal compositions (Females are XX, Males are XY)”. This claim has been verified through animal studies. Another advantage of this approach is that it provides a very practicable approach that can substantively be applied in the real life situations for example for individuals with gender dysphoria. An approach such as the hormone replacement therapy in the hormonal balance among transgender individuals is a clear indicator that the biological theory can be relied upon.

The biological approach has its weaknesses too. One major weakness is the fact that the theory adopts a reductionist approach of explaining the development of gender. Due to this reason, all other factors that could have influenced the development of gender are not given consideration. Despite the biological approach being acceptable by psychologists, they also agree that it is not the only other aspects such as learning influence gender development. The second con to the biological approach is that experimentation using animals is the main source of evidence of the influence of hormones in gender development (Ruble, Martin, & Sheri, 2007).

Experiments conducted in animals may not provide a conclusive view of the effect of hormones on gender; this is because the complexity of the experimental animals (rats) is quite lower compared to that of humans. “Sociobiologists betray circular reasoning. They use value-laden concepts … infer that accounts of animal behavior generalize to humans” (Author date, p. 171). Finally, the biological approach does not provide for the fact that individuals have differences hence the influence of hormones and other biological components could vary.

The social learning approach to gender development has its pros and cons just like the biological approach. First pro is that through this theory we are able to account for the influence of cognitive processes in the development of gender. The use of cognitive processes helps understand how the environment is capable of influencing gender development. Secondly, the approach’s credibility is enhanced by the fact that both experimental and non-experimental data is used to support the social learning theory in gender development (Ruble, Martin, & Sheri, 2007).

As a result, the method can be substantively be seen to provide some credible basis of evidence. Thirdly, through the social learning approach as opposed to the biological, a number of behaviors can be explained. Despite the pros, the approach has some cons. Firstly it does not provide an explanation for a quite number of behaviors, for example, it is unimaginable how an individual could still depict a behavior that they have been punished for. This presents a major weakness to the theory since the argument is that social learning is the influence of gender development.

“social theorists have little to say about why the social context is constituted this way” (Author, date, p.179). Secondly, the approach does not explain the position of differences in traits, for example the reason why individuals subjected in the same conditions depicts different behaviors (Sammons, n.d). Finally, the approach lacks objectivity, it explains individual perceptions, it is quite subjective. As argued by Author (Date, p. 178), “subjects are usually removed from their natural environments” for experimental purposes.

This indicates that a behavior will depend on the individual and the environment. ReferencesSammons, A. (n.d). Gender: Social learning theory. Retrieved from http://www.psychlotron.org.uk/newResources/developmental/AS_AQB_gender_SLTBasics.pdfRuble, D. N., Martin, C. L. & Sheri, A. B. (2007) Gender development. Wiley Online Library.