Lecture 7: Stigma, Minority Stress, and Intersex Conditions

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering psychological concepts of stigma and resilience, along with genetic, hormonal, and anatomical mechanisms of intersex conditions.

Stigma Awareness

A person's awareness that their identity is subject to stereotypical treatment or perceptions.

Minority Stress Theory

The framework proposing that having a marginalized identity, such as being transgender, carries additional social stressors that can negatively affect mental and physical health.

Resilience

A set of coping skills used to maintain psychological health.

Transgender Resiliency Factors

Protective factors that contribute to coping and psychological health among trans individuals, including social support and satisfying friendships, connecting with a supportive LGBTQ community, and participation in activism.

XX Typical Sex Development

The pathway characterized by the absence of the SRY gene and no SOX9 protein, resulting in the development of a vulva, clitoris, and vagina.

XX Difference (SRY Gene Activation)

An XX intersex condition where the presence of the SRY gene activates the SOX9 protein, resulting in the development of a penis and testes.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) XX Difference

An XX intersex condition caused by a mutated CYP21A2 gene and a lack of 21-hydroxylase enzyme, leading to the development of an enlarged clitoris, fused labia, and typical ovaries and uterus.

Turner syndrome

An intersex condition characterized by an XO chromosomal difference where individuals develop a vulva, often have impaired ovaries, and have absent or limited hormones at puberty.

XO/XY Mosaicism

A chromosomal difference where individuals usually develop a penis and one testicle, and sometimes develop ambiguous genitalia or a vulva and ovary.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

An XY difference caused by absent or impaired AR receptor protein, resulting in complete (CAIS) or partial (PAIS) resistance to androgens, leading to the development of a vulva or ambiguous genitalia, and incomplete puberty.

5-alpha reductase deficiency

An XY intersex condition caused by the absence of the SRD5A2 gene, preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT); individuals are born with a vulva or ambiguous genitalia and internal testes, but undergo genital masculinization at puberty.

Persistent Mullerian duct syndrome

An XY intersex condition caused by a mutated AMH gene or receptor, preventing the Mullerian ducts from dissolving and resulting in the development of both a penis and testes, as well as a uterus and fallopian tubes.

Kleinfelter Syndrome

An XXY chromosomal difference characterized by the development of a penis and small testes, low testosterone at puberty, and sometimes gynecomastia at puberty.

Gynecomastia

The development of breast tissue at puberty, which can occur in individuals with Kleinfelter Syndrome.