Transgender Development: Psychological Perspectives and Case Studies

This report examines the development of transgender identity from a psychological perspective, focusing on how gender identity emerges. It delves into the role of gender schema theory in children's understanding of gender-specific behaviours. The report also investigates the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors influencing transgender children's development. It highlights the importance of psychological consciousness and the influence of societal norms, drawing on research and case studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of transgender development. The report also discusses the biological factors and hormonal influences, while also emphasizing the role of social factors in shaping gender conformity.

Running head: TRANSGENDER DEVELOPMENT
Transgender Development
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1TRANSGENDER DEVELOPMENT
Complete understanding and development of gender identity occurs through learning
in three phases in a gradual manner. With the gradual understanding of gender stability,
children develop learning gender typical behaviour. The Gender-schema theory aims to
explain how this learning of gender stability and gender typical behaviour occurs. Children
consider an object or activity, even behaviour associated with either female or male members;
once they establish this understanding, they utilize this gender specific information to make
decisions about how much to learn about that object, activity or behaviour (Kail &
Cavanaugh, 2016). According to this theory, once the children have established their gender
through learning of gender specific activity or behaviour, they pay greater heed to the
experiences which are more appropriate for specific gender (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). For
example, a preschool boy watching a group of boys playing cricket, considers that to be the
gender appropriate experience. Watching girls playing with sand is considered specific for
girls on the contrary.
The development of transgender children can be contributed to the complex interplay
of biological, psychological and social factors which lead to developing transgender identity
among children. Biological hormones are involved in shaping the gender experiences,
however, they do not determine the development of transgender children identity. The role of
society and social factors are important to determine the parameters of gender conformity.
The social factors do not directly play any role in dictating gender identity (de Vries et al.,
2014). Development of transgender children rests on the psychological consciousness. All of
these aspects contribute a complex interplay to develop transgender children.

2TRANSGENDER DEVELOPMENT
References
de Vries, A. L., Kreukels, B. P., Steensma, T. D., & McGuire, J. K. (2014). Gender identity
development: A biopsychosocial perspective. In Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of
Sex Development (pp. 53-80). Springer, Boston, MA.
Kail, R. V., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (2016). Essentials of human development: A life-span view.
Cengage Learning.