Biological theories suggest those abilities, behaviors, and personality of children may all be influenced by levels of hormones, especially those that are present during prenatal development.
Biological theories focus on specific physiological or biochemical processes that affect gender development.
The actions of hormones such as androgens, especially testosterone which are referred to as "male hormones" occur at higher levels in males than in females that cause masculine traits in males.
When animals are exposed to androgens during prenatal development, they show more male-typical behaviors, such as aggression, and fewer female-typical behaviors, such as nurturance.
Prenatal androgens are thought to masculine the brain as it develops, making it more sensitive to some types of environmental stimulation and less sensitive to others. As a result, males and females may be predisposed to develop different skills, abilities, and personalities.
Some people worry that if biological factors influence gender development and then there is no way to change girls' or boys' behavior.
However, this is not the case-some biological influences can easily be changed. Furthermore, most researchers believe that even if gender development is influenced by biological factors, environmental factors such as socialization and reinforcement can influence the course of a child's development.
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