[Intersexuality. Development of sexual behavior pattern and the legal position of the hermaphrodite (author's transl)].

We are nowadays in a position to describe some factors which influence the development of sexual behavior patterns. The importance of such factors will vary from case to case but especially the assignment of a particular sex to the neonate and education to a particular sex behavior may be helpful in acquiring psychosexual identity. An attempt is made to assess the importance of various biological and sociopsychological factors on the development of psychosexual identity in a "girl" with intersexual sex characteristics. The need for a careful analysis of such cases is particularly essential if an operation - as for example change of sex - is under consideration. The legal consequences of operations for change of sex must be taken into consideration, but therapeutic measures should be guided by medical and psychological aspects.