Gender and the Brain

Key Clark
Direction of Research
● Compile previous research covering the brain’s anatomy and physiology in

creation of a gender identity

● Critique the studies

● Provide a single review concerning the biological basis of gender identity

○ Compile the significant brain regions into final table

Background
● Increased interest and more technology in contemporary neuroscience

● More studies published about the nervous system

● Nervous system consists of two major components:

○ Peripheral nervous system-sensory neurons

○ Central Nervous system- brain, spinal cord, interneurons

Background
● External information can create new connectivity between interneurons
essentially changing the brain structure and function
● Genetic predisposition contributes to the creation of structure and function
Significance
● Brain is a unique organ that has the ability to incorporate biological
predispositions and social forces that create a person’s identity
● Aim to compile and critique scientific evidence analyzing the brain structure to
determine if the brain gives us information on how gender identity is created
● Gender identity is important to understand because it contributes to the
creation of self
● Gender identity is a major force with the creation of groups
● Curtail prejudice against those that identify contrary to gender norms
Methodology
● The research will begin with the question
○ “Does gender identity have a biological basis due to brain differences”?

● Utilize literature databases: PubMED, Medline, PyschINFO, Gender Watch,

Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered History in America
and Google Scholar
● Papers that will be reviewed are only in English
● The results will be finalized into a spreadsheet or table
Literature Cited
Bandettini, Peter A. "What's New in Neuroimaging Methods?" Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1156, no. 1 (2009): 260-93. Accessed March 6, 2018. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04420.x

Bem, Sandra L. The Lenses of Gender Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality. Vancouver: Access and Diversity, Crane Library, University of British Columbia, 2015

Drescher, Jack. "Gender Identity Diagnoses: History and Controversies." Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development Focus on Sexuality Research, 2013, 137-50.
doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-7441-8_7.

Fundamental Neuroscience. 3rd ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Academic Press, 2013.

Kreukels, Baudewijntje P.c., and Antonio Guillamon. "Neuroimaging Studies in People with Gender Incongruence." International Review of Psychiatry 28, no. 1 (2016): 120-28.
doi:10.3109/09540261.2015.1113163.

Martin, Patricia Yancey. "Gender, Interaction, and Inequality in Organizations." Gender, Interaction, and Inequality, 1992, 208-231. doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-2199-7_9.

Petitti, Diana B. "Statistical Methods in Meta-Analysis." Meta-Analysis, Decision Analysis, and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, 1999, 94-118. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195133646.003.07.

Ramachandran, V.S. "Neuroplasticity, Developmental." Encyclopedia of the Human Brain. Vol. 3. Amsterdam: Academic Press, 2002.

Roselli, Charles E. "Neurobiology of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation." Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 2017. doi:10.1111/jne.12562.