An organizational effect is only effective during an organism's sensitive period. This length of time varies by species but is typically ranges from early development to the neonatal (newborn) period. For mammals, they experience a second sensitive period, known as puberty. 

Sensitive Period

This is a possible explanation for sexual differentiation. The idea is that a single androgen diffuses through all the tissues, and thus, masculinizing both the body and the brain. Androgens are required in development to organize the nervous system but also in adulthood to activate its full effects on behavior. 

Organizational Hypothesis

A permanent change in an individual's nervous system and behavior because of steroid exposure during development.

Rutgers University

Gonadal hormones drive sexual differentiation; the presence of testosterone promotes masculine physical development, whereas the absence of testicular hormones leads to feminine development. Furthermore, evidence suggests that these hormones influence brain development in a similar manner.

Gonadal Hormones

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Organizational Effect

Coined by Charles Darwin, this term describes how males and females show pronounced sex differences in appearance. 

Learn Before

Related

Learn After