Midterm (chs 1-6) - Psychology of Sex and Gender

cutaneous phase

the first phase of sexual development; during which an infant’s skin can be considered a “single erogenous zone”

Psychosexual maturity begins to develop in infancy; Begin to learn how they “should” feel about their bodies; Also learn about the gender role they are expected to fulfill

influence of infancy on sexuality

age 3

age that curiosity and sex play begins

sex play

activity in which children begin to explor their bodies with other children; begins around age 3; often done with children of the same sex

Ages 6-10

ages in which children begin to conceal heir sexuality

Age 4 or 5

ages in which children learn that playing with genitals is considered nasty

puberty

the biological stage of human development when the body becomes capable of reproduction; For legal purposes, begins at 12 for girls and 14 for boys; Actual age varies

adolescence

the social and psychological state that occurs between the beginning of puberty and acceptance into full adulthood

precocious puberty

appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered normal

nocturnal emissions

appearance of semen during sleep

parents, peers, media

factors that affect psychosexual development

homophobia

the irrational fear of sexual minorities; perpetuated by schools and parents

13 years for boys and 15 years for girls; usually around start of puberty

ages that adolescents usually begin masturbating

sexual debut

a person’s first sexual experience; often carries enormous personal and social meaning, symbolizing an important milestone

abstinence only sexuality education

sex education that only encourages abstinence; has been a focal point in education policy in the United States; Deeply rooted cultural and religious norms have impeded their implementation

comprehensive sexuality education

a method of sex ed that aims to give students the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and values to make appropriate and healthy choices in their sexual lives

encourages us to accentuate or invent psychological, emotional, mental, and behavioral differences between men and women

effect of culture on gender

Assigned female at birth (afab) or assigned male at birth (amab)

terms used to categorize bodies typically based on external genital anatomy but sometimes based on internal gonads, chromosomes, or hormone levels

sex

consists of a set of biological attributes in humans primarily associated with physiological and reproductive features

genetic sex

refers to one’s chromosomal and hormonal sex characteristics such as whether one’s chromosomes are X Y or X X or another combination and whether estrogen or testosterone dominates the hormonal system

anotomical sex

refers to a set of biological attributes in humans primarily associated with physiological and reproductive features which includes gonads, uterus, vulva, vagina, penis, and so on

gender

the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people, including the norms that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex

gener roles

attitudes, behaviors, rights, and responsibilities that cultural groups associate with one’s assumed or assigned sex

gender role stereotype

a rigidly held, oversimplified, and overgeneralized belief about how each gender should behave

gender identity

a person’s internal experience of gender

cisgender

term used to describe a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth

gender binary

term whereby gender is an either-or option of female or male

gender variant, gender nonconforming, genderqueer

A spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine

assigned gender

based on anatomical appearance at birth, assigned gender tells others how to respond to us

agender

term that includes those who do not identify with any gender

gender fluid

term that includes those whose gender expressions and/or identity is not static

transgender

an umbrella term for those whose gender expression or identity is not congruent with the sex assigned at birth

men and women are polar opposites

tradional western view of gender

instrumentality

term describing traditional western male gender stereotypes; task-oriented

expressiveness

term describing traditional wester female gender stereotypes; emotion-oriented

sexism

discrimination against people based on their sex rather than their individual merits; Often associated with gender stereotypes; May prevent individuals from expressing their full range of emotions or seeking certain vocations

misogyny

a more hostile form of prejudice that involves the hatred of or disdain for women

heteronormativity

These negative stereotypes which hold that people fall into distinct genders, with natural roles, and are presumed to be heterosexual; imply that same-sex behavior is somehow associated with a failure to fill traditional gender roles

cognitive social learning theory

theory that states attitudes and behaviors are a result of social learning and that consequences control behavior; include cognitive processes like using language, anticipating consequences, and making observations

cognitive development theory

theory that focuses on children’s active interpretation of messages received from the environment; states learning, including about gender, differs depending on age

social construction theory

theory that sees gender as a set of practices and performances that occur through language and a political system

queer theory

theory that states gender and sexuality are systems that are not gender neutral and cannot be understood by the actions of heterosexual individuals

parents, teachers, peers, and media influencers

socialing agents of gender roles

gender schema

the cognitive organization of the world according to gender; form the basis of cultural norms, status, taboos, and privileges and often undermine and undervalue the uniqueness of individuals; make multiple associations between gender and other non-sex-linked qualities such as affection and strength

gender script

behaviors, rules, and expectations of a role

sexual orientation

a multidimensional construct encompassing emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction, identity, and behavior

androgyny

a combination of masculine and feminine traits or a nontraditional gender expression

gender affirming care

a supportive form of health care consisting of medical, surgical, mental, and non-medical care for transgender and nonbinary people

gender dysphoria

a diagnosis that emphasizes the individual’s felt sense of “incongruence” with natal gender, including intense discomfort and distress

intersex or differences of sex development (DSD)

a medical diagnosis used to describe a group of congenital conditions in which the external appearance of the individual does not coincide with the chromosomal constitution or gonadal sex

intersex traits

an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy resulting in a discrepancy between the external genitals and the internal genitals

46XX, 46XY, true gonadal intersex, and complex or undetermined intersex differences

categories of intersex

46XX

type of intersex condition in which the person has the chromosomes of a woman, the ovaries of a woman, but the external genitals that appear male

46XY

type of intersex condition where a person has the chromosomes of a man, but the external genitals are incompletely formed, ambiguous or female while the internal testes are normal, malformed, or absent

true gonadal intersex

type of intersex conditon where the person has both ovarian and testicular tissue, which may be in the same gonad or the person may have one ovary and one testis. The person may have XX, XY, or both chromosomes

Complex or undetermined intersex differences of sexual development

type of interesex condition in which many chromosome configurations can result in disorders/differences in sex development, but these do not result in a condition in which there is a discrepancy between internal and external genitalia

turner syndrome (45X)

genetic condition in which a female does not have the usual pair of two X chromosomes

klinefelter syndrome

genetic condition in which males have one or more extra X chromosomes

androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)

condition that occurs when a person is genetically male but is resistant to male hormones or androgens

congenital adrenal hyperplasia

a group of inherited disorders of the adrenal gland; can affect both males and females

5-Alpha reductase deficiency

a condition whereby a genetic male will not produce enough of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

title IX

an educational amendment that protects people from sex discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance

manufacture and store sperm; provide pleasure

function of male sexual anatomy

penis

the organ through which both semen and urine pass; attached to the male perineum; consists of three main sections: the root, shaft, and head

foreskin/prepuce

loose skin that covers the shaft of the penis and extends to cover the glans penis; sometimes removed by circumcision; if not removed, beneath the foreskin is smegma

shaft

long part of the penis between the head and root; consists of the glans penis, urethral opening, corona, and frenulum; constructed of the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum

urethra

tube through which urine runs; located through the prostate and corpus spingiosum

scrotum

a pouch of skin hanging loosely at the root of the penis that holds the two testes; more heavily pigmented that skin elsewhere; sparsely covered by hair; Divided in the middle by a ridge of skin; testes are pulled closer to the body when a male is sexually aroused or when he is cold

testes

male reproductive glands or gonads; Sperm production and hormone production; Each is suspended by a spermatic cord; Each contains around 1,000 seminiferous tubules within

cryptorchidism

undescended testes

epididymis and vas deferens

carry sperm from each teste lto the urethra for ejaculation

ejaculatory duct

tube joined by the vas deferens and the seminal vesicle

seminal vesicles

two glands at the back of the bladder; Secrete a fluid that makes up about 70% of the seminal fluid—or semen—that nourishes and transports sperm

prostate gland

gland that encircles the urethra just below the bladder; produces about 30% of the seminal fluid

cowper’s glands

glands that are below the prostate; secrete a thick, clear mucus prior to ejaculation

ejcaulation

process by which semen is forcefully expelled from the penis

gynecomastia

swelling or enlargement of the male breast, triggered by a decrease in the amount of testosterone compared with estrogen

manufacturing of hormones and production and delivery of sperm

male reproductive process

leydig cells (interstitial cells)

cells located within the connective tissues of the testes; secrete androgens (male hormones)

testosterone

a steroid hormone synthesized from cholesterol that triggers sperm production and regulates the sex drive; reponsible for development of secondary sex characteristics; can reverse age-related symptoms

nocturnal orgasms

spontaneous penile erections during night; also called wet dreams

semen (seminal fluid)

the ejaculated liquid that contains spermatozoa; nourishes sperm; provides a hospitable environment and means of transport if they are deposited within the vagina; Made up of secretions from the seminal vesicles and prostate gland and ejaculated through the urethra; Thick and sticky at first; then becomes liquified, allowing the sperm to swim out

homologous structure

structures that develop from the same cells in the developing fetus regardless of sex

reproduction; nourishing offspring via placenta and lactation; pleasure; demonstrating affection

functions of female sex organs

mons pubis, clitoris, labia majora, labia minora

external structures of femal anatomy (the vulva)

genitals

sexual and reproductive organs

mon pubis

a pad of fatty tissue that covers the area of the pubic bone about 6 inches below the navel

clitoris

considered the center of sexual arousal; contains the glans clitoris, clitoral hood; crura and corpora cavernosa

labia majora

two folds of spongy flesh extending from the mons pubis and enclosing the labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal entrance

labia minora

within the labia majora, smaller folds that meet above the clitoris to form the clitoral hood; contains the vestibule and bartholin’s glands

vestibule

the area enclosed by the labia minora

bartholin’s glands

ducts that secrete substances when in a state of arousal; provide lubrication

vagina

a flexible, muscular structure that extends 3–5 inches back and upward from the opening; it is the birth canal through which an infant is born; contains the opening, hymen, and Grafenberg spot

Grafenberg (g) spot

an area of unknown size or location that extends a couple inches inside the vaginal opening; produces intense pleasure for some womes

uterus, endometrium, and cervix

internal stuctures of female anatomy

uterus

also called the womb; a hollow, pear-shaped organ that expands during pregnancy for the developing fetus

endometrium

the lining of the uterus

cervix

the tapered end of the uterus

ovaries

gonads on both sides of the uterus

gonads

organs that produce sex cells (gametes) necessary for reproduction