unit 5 developmnet --> androgyny

Early adulthood

Approx. 20s–30s; characterized by peak physical performance, strength, and reaction time.

Middle adulthood

Gradual physical decline; includes men experiencing a decrease in sperm count and women going through menopause.

Late adulthood

Individuals 65 and older; characterized by reduced strength, slower processing speed, and emotional stability.

Life expectancy

Average lifespan has increased significantly due to improvements in health care and living conditions.

Dementia

General decline in memory and reasoning, affecting cognitive functions.

Alzheimer’s disease

Progressive memory and cognitive deterioration caused by neural degeneration.

Neurogenesis

The process of generating new neurons, which protects the brain from neuron loss and helps with cognitive function.

Sex

Biological classification based on chromosomes, reproductive organs, and hormones.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, expectations, and behaviors associated with masculinity and femininity.

Intersex

A condition where an individual is born with variations in sex anatomy or chromosomes that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.

Aggression

Behavior intended to harm another physically or emotionally, often more common in men.

Relational aggression

Behavior intended to harm social relationships or reputation, often displayed by females.

Social power

The ability to influence or control others in social situations, often seen to be held more by men.

Social connectedness

The emphasis on emotional communication and close relationships, generally associated with women.

Prenatal sexual development

Development process determining an individual's biological sex based on the presence of X and Y chromosomes.

Testosterone

Primary male sex hormone responsible for male organ development and secondary sex characteristics.

Estrogens

Primary female sex hormones involved in reproductive and sexual development.

Puberty

Stage of adolescence characterized by physical and hormonal changes leading to sexual maturity.

Primary sex characteristics

Body structures directly involved in reproduction developed during puberty.

Spermarche

The first ejaculation, typically occurring around age 14.

Menarche

The first menstrual period, usually occurring around age 12.

Klinefelter’s syndrome

A condition where a male inherits an extra X chromosome, affecting fertility and testosterone levels.

Turner syndrome

A condition affecting females where one X chromosome is missing, leading to various developmental issues.

Gender roles

Societal expectations for how individuals should behave based on their gender.

Gender identity

A person’s psychological sense of being male, female, both, or neither.

Social learning theory

The theory that gender behavior is learned through observation, imitation, and reinforcement.

Gender typing

The phenomenon where children gravitate toward behaviors that are traditionally associated with their gender.

Androgyny

Displaying a blend of both masculine and feminine traits.

meno pause

The natural biological process occurring in women, marking the end of menstrual cycles and fertility, often accompanied by hormonal changes and various physical symptoms.