Chapter 17: Understanding Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Sex

Medical categorization based on genital appearance at birth.

Primary sex characteristics

Necessary for reproduction, includes gonads and sex organs.

Gonads

Sex glands producing hormones; ovaries and testes.

Secondary sex characteristics

Develop at puberty, not necessary for reproduction.

Intersex

Variations in sex differentiation occurring in 1 in 100 births.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Condition affecting male fetal development, causing female characteristics.

Turner's Syndrome

Chromosomal disorder in females leading to developmental issues.

Gender

Socially constructed roles and identities related to sex.

Cisgender

Identifying with the gender assigned at birth.

Transgender

Identifying with a different gender than assigned at birth.

Nonbinary

Identifying outside the traditional gender binary.

Genderfluid

Internal sense of gender changes over time.

Genderqueer

Identifying in a way that feels queer or non-normative.

Agender

Identifying as genderless or without a specific gender.

Xenogender

Identifying gender based on ideas outside binary definitions.

Gender role norms

Cultural expectations for masculine and feminine behaviors.

Sexual orientation

Pattern of sexual or romantic attraction to genders.

Heterosexual

Sexual attraction to the opposite sex.

Homosexual

Sexual attraction to the same sex.

Bisexual

Sexual attraction to more than one gender.

Demisexual

Attraction only after forming an emotional connection.

Asexual

Little to no sexual attraction, with or without romance.

Kinsey Scale

Continuum measuring sexual attraction from homosexual to heterosexual.

Intersex species

65,000 species with mixed reproductive traits.

Sexual Orientation Concordance Rate (SOCR)

Probability of individuals sharing sexual orientation.

Monozygotic twins

Identical twins with highest SOCR.

Dizygotic twins

Fraternal twins with lower SOCR than monozygotic.

Gender dysphoria

Discomfort between internal gender identity and external self.

Conversion therapy

Attempts to change sexual orientation or gender identity.

Psychological distress

Increased risk of distress and suicide from conversion therapy.

Non-consensual surgeries

Unnecessary surgeries on intersex infants for appearance.

John Money

Influential theorist on intersex treatment practices.

Gender transition

Process of aligning gender identity with external presentation.

Social transition

Changes in social identity without medical interventions.

Medical transition

Medical procedures aligning physical traits with gender identity.

Puberty blockers

Medications delaying puberty for trans youth.

Hormone replacement therapy

Administering hormones to align with affirmed gender.

Gender affirming surgery

Surgical procedures for aligning physical body with gender.

Gender euphoria

Joy from gender affirmation and relief from dysphoria.

DSM-5 criteria

Guidelines for diagnosing gender dysphoria.

Brian Douglas

Subject of documentary on intersex experiences.

George Rekers

Testified against LGBTQ+ parents, involved in conversion therapy.

William Masters

Conducted controversial study on conversion therapy.

Neurological correlates

Brain scans showing alignment with affirmed gender.

Coping tools

Therapy aids for individuals unable to transition safely.

Gender-affirming medical treatment

Includes hormones and surgery for gender alignment.

Gender affirmation

Validation from living as one's true gender.

Masters & Johnson

Pioneers in human sexual response research.

Physiological mechanisms

Biological processes influencing sexual behavior.

Four-stage model of sexual response

Masters & Johnson's framework for sexual response phases.

Hypothalamus

Brain region crucial for regulating sexual behavior.

Medial preoptic area

Hypothalamic region affecting male sexual behavior.

Hypogonadism

Reduced gonadal function impacting sexual function.

Endocrine glands

Hormone-secreting glands influencing sexual motivation.

Amygdala

Brain area involved in sexual motivation.

Nucleus Accumbens

Region linked to motivation for sexual behavior.

Sexual autonomy

Right to make personal sexual decisions.

Pleasure

Subjective experience of positive embodiment.

Hedonia

Pleasure derived from sensory experiences.

Pleasure reward center

Brain circuitry involved in pleasure processing.

VTA

Origin of pleasure circuitry in the brain.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter facilitating pleasure and motivation.

Consent

Conscious agreement to engage in sexual acts.

Coercion

Pressure that invalidates true consent.

Positive embodiment

Feeling good in one's own body.

Sensation and perception

Components of the experience of pleasure.

Interoception

Awareness of internal body states.

Neurotransmitters

Chemicals transmitting signals in the nervous system.

Harassment

Unwelcome sexual/nonsexual advances or comments.

Statutory Rape

Unlawful sex with a minor below consent age.

Age of Consent

Minimum age for legal sexual consent.

Sexual Deviance

Arousal outside societal sexual norms.

Paraphilia

Extreme sexual deviance causing harm or distress.

Consensual ****

Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission practices.

Kink

Non-conventional sexual practices or fantasies.

Fetish

Sexual pleasure linked to specific objects or body parts.

Gender Dysphoria

Distress from mismatch of assigned sex and identity.

Sexual Dysfunction

Persistent problems causing distress in sexual response.

Lifelong Dysfunction

Sexual dysfunction present from first sexual experience.

Acquired Dysfunction

Develops after a period of normal sexual function.

Situational Dysfunction

Occurs only with specific situations or partners.

Generalized Dysfunction

Not limited to specific situations or partners.

Types of Dysfunction

Includes pain, desire, arousal, and orgasm issues.

Paraphilic Disorders

Recurrent sexual urges causing distress or impairment.

Kink vs Disorder

Disorder causes significant distress or involves danger.

Biomedical Therapy

Includes SSRIs and anti-androgens for treatment.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Focuses on changing problematic sexual behaviors.

Aversive Conditioning

Induces negative response to unacceptable stimuli.

Social Skills Training

Improves relationship-building with adult partners.

Monogamy

Partnership with only one person at a time.

Open Relationship

Partners agree to connections outside primary relationship.

Polyamory

Multiple romantic relationships, with or without prioritization.