Chapter 10: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Sex

Determined by chromosomes

Gender

The biologically, sociocultural, and psychologically influenced characteristics which define the spectrum of male to female

Sexual orientation

The enduring sexual attraction towards members of one’s own sex, the other sex, or both sexes

Sex chromosomes

X chromosomes found in both men and women, Y chromosomes found only in men

Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone and androgen in males

Estrogens

The primary sex hormone in females

Gender role

A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females

Gender schemas

A cognitive theory to explain how individuals become gendered in society

Cisgender

Denoting or relating to a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex registered for them at birth

Transgender

Denoting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond with the sex registered for them at birth.

Gender fluid

A person whose gender identity shifts between or outside of their culture’s expectations or definitions of gender

Androgyny

Identifying equally with both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics

Heterosexuality

Being sexually attracted to members of the oppostiy sex

Homosexuality

Being sexually attracted to people of the same sex

Bisexuality

Being sexually attracted to members of both sexes

Asexuality

Not being sexually attracted to either sex

Sexual response cycle (in order)

Excitement » plateau » orgasm » resolution

Fertile females theory

Women who are more fertile are more likely to have a child who is homosexual

The older brother effect

Men with older brothers are more likely to be homosexual

Maria has always taken responsibility for preparing family meals because she learned that this was expected of women. Her behavior best illustrates the influence of…

Gender roles

Janice and Tre are kissing and caressing each other. They are both sexually aroused and decide to engage in intercourse. According to Masters and Johnson, the correct order of the stages of the sexual response cycle the two of them might experience is…

Excitement, plateau, orgasm. resolution

Women are ________ likely than men to report at least one same-sex sexual contact during their lives. The percentage of women who identify themselves as lesbian is ________ than the percentage of men who identify themselves as gay

More; lower

Biological characteristics that define someone as male or female are to ________ as socially influenced characteristics that define someone as male or female are to ________

Sex; gender

Homosexual men tend to have ________ homosexual relatives on their mother's side of the family than on their father's side. The maternal relatives of homosexual men on the mother's side of the family produce ________ offspring than do the maternal relatives of heterosexual men on the mother's side of the family

More; more