AP Psych Vocabulary- Module 13

norms

understood rules for accepted and expected behavior. norms prescribe “proper“ behavior

tight culture

places with clearly defined and reliable imposed norms

loose culture

places with flexible and informal norms

individualism

a cultural pattern that emphasizes people’s own goals over group goals and defines identity mainly in terms of unique personal attributes

collectivism

a cultural pattern that prioritizes the goals of important groups (often one’s extended family or work group)

sex

in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female and intersex

gender

in psychology, the behavioral characteristics that people associate with boy, girl, man, and woman.

intersex

possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth

aggression

any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally

relational aggression

an act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing

x-chromosome

the sex chromosome found in females and males. females typically have two x-chromosomes; males typically have one. an x-chromosome from each parent produces a female child

y-chromosomes

the sex chromosome typically found only in males. when paired with an x-chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child

testosterone

the most important male sex hormone. males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the email sex characteristics during puberty

estrogens

sex hormones, such as estradiol, that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted in greater amounts by females than by males

puberty

the period of sexual maturation, when a person usually becomes capable of reproducing

primary sex characteristics

the body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible

secondary sex characteristics

non-reproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair

spermarche

the first ejaculation

menarche

the first menstrual period

sexual aggression

any physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone physically or emotionally. can be expressed as either sexual harassment or sexual assault

gender identity

our personal sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination of both

social learning theory

the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished

gender typing

the acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role

androgyny

blending traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics

transgender

an umbrella term describing people whose gender identity differs from that associated with their sex assigned at birth

role

a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave

gender role

a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and for women