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Human gender development.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Hines, Melissa 

Abstract

Human gender-related behavior/psychology is shaped by a developmental system that involves numerous influences interacting over time. Understanding of the full range of elements in the system and how they interact is currently incomplete. The available evidence suggests, however, that early exposure to testosterone, postnatal socialization, e.g., by parents and peers, and self-socialization related to cognitive understanding of gender are important elements. This article focuses on prenatal and early neonatal influences of testosterone on gender-related psychological/behavioral outcomes, and contextualizes these hormonal influences within an understanding of socialization influences. There is consistent evidence that early testosterone exposure influences childhood gender role behavior, including sex-typical toy play, as well as gender identity and sexual orientation. Evidence for similar hormonal influences on spatial ability and on traits related to autism, or autistic spectrum disorder, is inconsistent. Evidence from girls exposed to elevated testosterone prenatally suggests that they experience alterations in processes of external socialization, as well as self-socialization, and that these, along with early testosterone exposure, shape gender-related outcomes.

Description

Keywords

Androgen, Autism, Autistic spectrum disorder, Autistic traits, Childhood gender role behavior, Gender, Gender identity, Gender role behavior, Mental rotation, Sex, Sexual orientation, Spatial ability, Testosterone, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Child, Female, Gender Identity, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Parents, Pregnancy, Sexual Behavior, Testosterone

Journal Title

Neurosci Biobehav Rev

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0149-7634
1873-7528

Volume Title

118

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD081720)