In this chapter you will learn
 

• How sex is similar to and different from other drives
• How hormones and brain structures control sexual development and behavior
• Some of the differences between males and females and what causes them
• How deviations in sexual development affect the body, the brain, and behavior
• How prenatal development may help explain heterosexuality and homosexuality

Chapter 7 starts out by describing how sex is similar to other biological drives as a form of motivation and follows with a discussion of the effects of hormones on brain structures and development. In many organisms, the sense of smell has a particularly important role in sexual attraction and performance. The chapter then discusses how males and females differ due to the genetic and hormonal influences throughout development. Gender-related behavioral and cognitive differences are then discussed, in which male and female performance differs on specific tasks and forms of learning.  Finally, the chapter discusses how deviations in the sexual development process (such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia and androgen insensitivity) affect the body, brain and behavior. The chapter continues with a discussion of the evidence for and against a biological basis for heterosexuality and homosexuality.  Finally, the social implications on our understanding of gender identity issues are discussed. In the News boxes explore prairie vole bonding, gender roles in sports, and the pitfalls of sex reassignment surgery.