Ch. 10: Personality and The Self

Androcentrism

Placing males or the masculine point of view at the center of a theory or narrative

Androgyny

A combination, coexistence, or blend of both male and female behavioral characteristics, features, and reflections

Colorism

The practice of favoring lighter skin over darker skin

Ethnic disidentification

Detaching an individual’s self from the ethnic group with which he or she has been previously associated or is currently associated

Femininity

Traditionally assigned to women, a general set of features associated with empathy, nuturance, kindness, humility, sensitivity, and intuition

Feminism

The view that women do not have equal rights and opportunities with men, and global changes are needed to acheive social justice

Gender

A complex set of behavioral, cultural, or psychological features associated with an individual’s se*

Gender fluid

Denoting or relating to people who do not identify themselves as having a fixed gender

Gender identity

An individual’s self-determination (or a complex self-reflection) as being male, female, intersex (between male and female), or neither

Gender roles

Prescriptions and expectations assigned to genders on the female-male continuum

Gender studies

A multidisciplinary field dedicated to study gender and a wide range of gender-related issues

Intersex

A category based on features that are between distinc male and female characteristics

Locus of control

The extent to which individuals believe they can control and affect events

Masculinity

Traditionally assigned to men, a general set of features associated with strength, independence, courage, leadership, assertiveness, and logic

Microaggression

Commonplace, ordinary verbal or behavioral indiscretions (whether intentional or unintentional) that imply denigrating or negative attitudes toward any socially marginalized group

National character

A perceived set of predominant behavioral and psychological features and traits common in most people of a nation

Natural dominance of men

A general assumption about men’s physical and biological superiority over women

Personality

An individual’s unique pattern of psychological and behavioral characteristics that are relatively stable over time and across or within situations

Personality traits

Distinguishable displays or patterns of behavior and experience

Self

The essential qualities of an individual, consisting of all characteristic attributes (both mental and physical) that distinguish them from others

Religious identity

The sense of belonging to a religion and the importance of this group membership, relevant to the individual’s sense of self

Self-esteem

The appraisal of one’s own personal value, including both emotional components (self-worth) and cognitive components (self-efficacy)

Se*

The anatomical and physiological characteristics or features of males and females, the two typically assigned sexes

Transgender

A term referring to a person whose gender identity is inconsistent with their assigned anatomical se*

Transsexual

A specific instance of transgender that is also typically accompanied by a desire to transition to the sex or gender with which one identifies, with the assistance of medical interventions such as hormones or surgery. This term is considered by some to be outdated and/or offensive