Human Behavioral Sex Differences: A Role for Gonadal Hormones During Early Development?

Evidence that gonadal hormones during prenatal and neonatal development influence behavior is reviewed. Several theoretical models of hormonal influences, derived from research in other species, are described. These models are evaluated on the basis of data from humans with either normal or abnormal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological bulletin 1995-07, Vol.118 (1), p.55-107
Main Authors: Collaer, Marcia L, Hines, Melissa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aggression - physiology
Animals
Babies
Behavior
Behaviour
Child
Child development
Child, Preschool
Cognition
Development
Female
Gender differences
Gonadal hormones
Gonadal Steroid Hormones - physiology
Hormones
Human
Human Sex Differences
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Intelligence - physiology
Literature Review
Literature reviews
Male
Neonatal Development
Personal aggression
Pregnancy
Prenatal Development
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
Psychology
Role
Sex differentiation
Sex Differentiation - physiology
Sex Hormones
Sexes
Sexual Maturation - physiology
Sexuality
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Summary:Evidence that gonadal hormones during prenatal and neonatal development influence behavior is reviewed. Several theoretical models of hormonal influences, derived from research in other species, are described. These models are evaluated on the basis of data from humans with either normal or abnormal hormonal exposure. It is concluded that the evidence is insufficient to determine which model best explains the data. Sexual differentiation may involve several dimensions, and different models may apply to different behaviors. Gonadal hormones appear to influence development of some human behaviors that show sex differences. The evidence is strongest for childhood play behavior and is relatively strong for sexual orientation and tendencies toward aggression. Also, high levels of hormones do not enhance intelligence, although a minimum level may be needed for optimal development of some cognitive processes. Directions for future research are proposed.
ISSN:0033-2909
1939-1455
DOI:10.1037/0033-2909.118.1.55