1Listen to the audio lecture while viewing these slidesPsychology 311Abnormal Psychology1Gender Identity Disorder2Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOverview• Often referred to as transsexuals• 6 times more frequent in boys than girls• Feel from early childhood they are the opposite sex• Are aversive to same sex clothing and genitals• When they feel sexual attraction to the same sex, it is from the opposite sex viewpoint and feels heterosexual3Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyObserved in Early Childhood by Parents• Begins about age 2 - 4• Child plays with opposite sex toys and games4Psyc 311 – Abnormal Psychology• Typically meets with disapproval by peers, co-workers, etc.•15th–16thCentury• Burned at the stake• Some Native American cultures• Seen as a third gender• Experience anxiety and depression• 1/100,000 for women• 1/30,000 for womenOther issues5Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyCauses• Biological Factors• Nature vs. Nurture debate1. Dominican Republic Study2. Joan / John Study6Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyDominican Republic Study• Contends gender identity is influenced by hormones• Extended family• Unable to produce hormone responsible for shaping the penis and scrotum• Male children are born with extremely small genitals •Look like female genitals• 2/3rds are raised as female•Reach puberty•Testosterone levels increase•Sex organs change• 17/18 develop male gender identity27Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyIncreasing estrogen or progesterone• Used to stop interutero bleeding• Show a difference on a child• More feminine qualities but not enough for a disorder• Efforts to study adult hormone levels are difficult• May take hormones to alter the body.8Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyCase study Joan / John• Two twins with foreskin closing• Circumcision went wrong•Equipment • Happen to see a documentary on TV for sex change for transexualism• Dr. John Money• Said to turn John into Joan•Castration, female genitals, hormones•Relate to him as a girl•After soul searching and consultations, parents approve the operation• Money claims success9Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyProblem• At age 2, Joan tear off a dress• Play activities are clearly masculine• Reluctantly takes hormone• Refuses surgery to improve female genitilia• Age 14 decides to stop living as a girl• Is told full story• Has penis rebuilt• Married at age 25• Conclusion – environment did not influence hormones10Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyPsychological and Social Factors• Parents think boys dressing up as girls is cute if they want to.• End up encouraging it, provide makeup• Boys with GID are rated as more attractive than control kids• Girls rated less attractive• Boys have distant relationships with Dad• Females physically sexual11Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyTherapies for GID• Body Alterations• Require a minimum of 6-12 months of therapy and living in the desired gender•Cosmetic surgery•Remove facial hair – electrophoresis•Reduce chin size or Adams apple• Female hormones to grow breasts and soften skin12Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologySexual Reassignment Surgery• More likely to be male to female• Remove genitals• Start hormones 1 year prior to surgery•May have plastic surgery• More men than women have surgery• Estimated more than 1000 transsexuals are surgically altered313Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOutcomes• More favorable if• Emotionally stable• Successful in gender role for one year• Have adequate understanding of limitations• Have Psychotherapy14Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyProblems• Many still have issues in their life•“If only”• Even after the changes still have work problems, family life problems, etc.• If they live in another role for one year and see they still have same issues, some change their minds.15Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyOther treatments• Use behavioral therapy• Alter gender identify• Instead of altering to opposite sex, train the person to be more like their same sex.• Ethical dilemmas???16Psyc 311 – Abnormal PsychologyConclusion• Interesting disorder• Affects relatively few individuals• Need money to complete the entire process• May be paid for by Federal Government in some