Violence and Intimate Relationships Definitions

Health 1 (chapter 5-8)

Violence

A set of behaviors that produces injuries, as well as the outcomes of these behaviors.

Intentional Injuries

Injury, death, or psychological harm inflicted with the intent to harm.

Unintentional Injuries

Injury, death, or psychological harm caused unintentionally or without premeditation.

Primary Aggression

Goal-directed, hostile self-assertion that is destructive in nature.

Reactive Aggression

Hostile emotional reaction brought about by frustrating life experiences.

Interpersonal Violence

Violence inflicted against one individual by another or a small group of others.

Collective Violence

Violence committed by groups of individuals.

Homicide

Death that results from intent to injure or kill.

Hate Crime

Crime targeted against a particular societal group and motivated by bias against that group.

Bias-Motivated Crime/Ethnoviolence

Violence directed at individuals affiliated with a particular ethnic group.

Discrimination

Actions that deny equal treatment or opportunities to a group, often based on prejudice.

Terrorism

Unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, civilian population, or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives.

Domestic Violence

The use of force to control and maintain power over another person in the home environment.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Physical, sexual abuse or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse.

Child Maltreatment

Any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a partner or caregiver that results in harm to a child.

Child Abuse

Deliberate or intentional words or actions that cause harm to a child.

Neglect

Failure to provide a child's basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.

Sexual Assault

Any act in which one person is sexually intimate with another without that person's consent.

Rape

Sexual penetration without the victim's consent.

Simple Rape

Physical beating or use of a weapon.

Acquaintance Rape

Rape by someone known to the victim.

Intimate Relationships

Relationships characterized by behavioral interdependence, need fulfillment, emotional attachment, and emotional availability.

Accountability

Accepting responsibility for personal decisions, choices, and actions.

Self-Nurturance

Developing individual potential through realistic appreciation of self-worth.

Social Support

Help received from people in your social network.

Social Network

People you know who can provide social support when needed.

Social Capital

Collective value of all the people in your social network.

Relational Connectedness

Mutually rewarding face-to-face contacts.

Collective Connectedness

Feeling that you are a part of a community or group.

Self-Disclosure

Sharing feelings or personal information with others.

Nonverbal Communication

Unwritten and unspoken messages, both intentional and unintentional.

Conflict

Emotional state that arises when opinions differ or interfere with one another.

Conflict Resolution

Effort by all parties to constructively resolve differences.

Jealousy

Aversive reaction evoked by a perceived relationship involving a partner and a third person.

Power

Ability to make and implement decisions.

Monogamy

Exclusive sexual involvement with one partner.

Serial Monogamy

A non-overlapping series of monogamous sexual relationships.

Open Relationship

A relationship in which sexual involvement can occur outside the relationship.

Cohabitation

Intimate partners living together without being married.

Sexuality

Thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with being male or female.

Sexual Identity

Recognition of oneself as a sexual being.

Intersexuality

Not exhibiting male or female sex characteristics.

Puberty

The period of sexual maturation.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Characteristics associated with sex but not directly related to reproduction.

Gender

Characteristics and actions of being feminine or masculine as defined by society.

Gender Roles

Expressions of maleness or femaleness conforming to societal expectations.

Androgyny

Combination of traditional masculine and feminine traits in a single person.

Gender Identity

Awareness of being masculine or feminine.

Transgender

Having a gender identity that does not match one's assigned biological sex.

Gender Dysphoria

Condition of feeling one's gender identity opposite to biological sex.

Sexual Orientation

A person's enduring attraction to others.

Heterosexuality

Preference for sexual activity with people of the other sex.

Homosexuality

Preference for sexual activity with people of the same sex.

Bisexuality

Attraction to and preference for sexual activity with both sexes.

Gay

Sexual orientation involving attraction to the same sex.

Lesbian

Sexual orientation involving attraction of women to women.

Homophobic

Negative actions directed at those with different sexual orientations.

Barrier Methods

Contraceptive methods blocking the meeting of the egg and sperm.

Condom

Single-use sheath designed to catch sperm on ejaculation.

Hormonal Contraceptive

Method introducing synthetic hormones to prevent ovulation.

Spermicide

Substance that kills sperm.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Diseases caused by pathogens transmitted through sexual contact.

Intrauterine Device

Device inserted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

Sterilization

Surgically preventing pregnancy permanently.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

Potentially life-threatening disease from improper tampon use.

Diaphragm

Latex device covering the cervix to block access to the uterus.

Birth Control Pills

Pills containing hormones that prevent ovulation.

Hysterectomy

Surgical removal of the uterus.

Vasectomy

Male sterilization procedure involving cutting and tying off the vasa deferentia.

Abortion

Termination of a pregnancy by removing the embryo or fetus.

Trimester

A three-month phase of pregnancy.

Embryo

Fertilized egg from conception through the eighth week.

Fetus

Developing human from ninth week until birth.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Pattern of birth defects caused by maternal alcohol consumption.

Ultrasound

Prenatal test using sound waves to visualize a developing fetus.

Cesarean Section (C-section)

Surgical procedure to remove the baby through an abdominal incision.

Miscarriage

Loss of the fetus before viability.

Stillbirth

Death of the fetus after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Postpartum Depression

Mood disorder experienced by women after giving birth.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden death of an infant under one year for no apparent reason.

Fertility

A person's ability to reproduce.

Contraception

Methods of preventing conception.

Birth Control

Any method that reduces likelihood of conception.

Fertilization

Fertilization of an ovum by a sperm.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical that relays messages between nerve cells.

Psychoactive Drugs

Drugs that affect brain chemistry and alter mood.

Addiction

Continued involvement with a substance despite negative consequences.

Psychological Dependence

Mind's dependency on a substance, leading to withdrawal symptoms.

Tolerance

Need for larger doses to produce desired effects.

Withdrawal Syndrome

Symptoms occurring when an addict abstains from a chemical or behavior.

Dependence

Adaptive state resulting from regular addictive behavior.

Gambling Disorder

Behavior set including preoccupation with gambling and inability to quit.

Compulsive Buying Disorder

Preoccupation with shopping accompanied by lack of control.

Exercise Addict

Person with compulsive, rigid exercise patterns.

Work Addiction

Compulsive use of work to fulfill needs for intimacy, power, or success.

Internet Addiction

Compulsive use of technology for online activities.

Behavior Addiction

Dependency on mood-altering behaviors.

Compulsion

Overwhelming need to perform a certain behavior.

Enablers

People who protect an addict from consequences.

Obsession

Excessive preoccupation with an addictive behavior.