Gender and Sexuality

A set of flashcards summarizing key vocabulary related to gender and sexuality as discussed in the lecture.

Gender

The socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society deems appropriate for different genders, distinguishing it from biological sex.

Gender Identity

An individual’s deeply held psychological sense of being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere along the gender spectrum, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth.

Gender Stereotypes

Widely held, often rigid, and frequently inaccurate beliefs about the characteristic abilities, personality traits, interests, and social behaviors that are considered appropriate or typical for males and females.

Instrumentality

An orientation characterized by a focus on action, achievement, self-reliance, and assertiveness, traditionally associated with and seen as typical masculine traits.

Expressiveness

An orientation characterized by a focus on emotions, empathy, interpersonal relationships, and tenderness, traditionally associated with and seen as typical feminine traits.

Meta-analysis

A powerful statistical technique that systematically combines the quantitative results from multiple independent studies investigating the same research question, providing a more reliable estimate of the overall effect size and consistency of a variable's impact.

Androcentrism

A social or cultural viewpoint that places the male perspective and experience at the center, treating it as the universal norm or standard against which all others are measured.

Aggression

Any behavior, whether physical, verbal, or otherwise, that is overtly intended to cause harm or injury to another person, either psychologically or physically.

Relational Aggression

A subtler form of aggression that aims to hurt another's feelings, social standing, or relationships through non-physical means, such as social exclusion, spreading rumors, or using the silent treatment.

Gender-Role Identity

The degree to which an individual identifies with and internalizes the set of traits, behaviors, and roles that a particular culture designates as masculine or feminine.

Gender Variance

The concept that gender is not a fixed binary but a fluid and dynamic continuum, allowing for individual experiences of gender to change and vary across different contexts and over time.

Sexual Identity

A multifaceted aspect of self-perception that encompasses an individual's complex personal qualities, self-perceptions, attitudes, values, and preferences that collectively influence and guide their sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Sexual Orientation

Refers specifically to the enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction that an individual feels towards other people.

Disclosing One’s Sexual Orientation

The personal and often significant process of acknowledging, internally recognizing, accepting, and verbally or behaviorally labeling one’s own sexual orientation to oneself and/or to others.

Sexual Prejudice

A broad term encompassing negative attitudes, biases, and discriminatory behaviors directed toward individuals who identify as sexual minorities (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual), often rooted in stereotypes and ignorance.

What are the key components of the social construct of Gender?

Gender, as a social construct, is defined by the specific roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a particular society considers appropriate and acceptable for individuals based on their assigned gender.

What type of orientation is associated with Instrumentality?

Instrumentality is associated with an orientation toward active pursuit of goals, accomplishment, and task-focused behaviors, typically reflecting traits like assertiveness and competence.

What type of orientation is associated with Expressiveness?

Expressiveness is associated with an orientation toward emotional display, nurturing, and interpersonal relationships, typically reflecting traits like empathy, compassion, and sensitivity.

What are the two main ways Aggression can manifest?

Aggression primarily manifests in two main ways: either through direct physical harm, such as hitting, or through verbal abuse, such as insults or threats, both intended to cause injury.

Provide an example of Relational Aggression.

A clear example of relational aggression is when someone deliberately uses the silent treatment, spread rumors, or excludes another person from a social group with the specific intent to hurt their feelings or damage their social standing.

What is a key characteristic of gender stereotypes regarding their accuracy?

A key characteristic of gender stereotypes is that they are widely held beliefs about genders that are frequently inaccurate, oversimplified, or perpetuate harmful generalizations, rather than being based on individual reality.

Which gender's traits are typically associated with instrumentality?

Masculine traits are typically associated with instrumentality, encompassing qualities like self-reliance, competitiveness, leadership, and a focus on action and achievement.

Which gender's traits are typically associated with expressiveness?

Feminine traits are typically associated with expressiveness, encompassing qualities like warmth, empathy, sensitivity, and a focus on emotional connection and interpersonal harmony.

What is the primary purpose of a meta-analysis in research?

The primary purpose of a meta-analysis in research is to statistically synthesize the findings from numerous studies on the same topic, thereby yielding a more robust and reliable estimate of the true effect size and the consistency of a given variable's influence across different contexts.

What is the primary characteristic that defines aggression as a behavior?

The primary characteristic defining aggression as a behavior is its deliberate intent to cause harm, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, to another individual.

What does gender-role identity specifically involve identification with?

Gender-role identity specifically involves a person's psychological identification with the specific traits, behaviors, and social roles that are culturally designated as either masculine or feminine.

How is gender characterized according to the notion of Gender Variance?

According to the notion of Gender Variance, gender is characterized as a fluid and non-binary continuum, implying that an individual's gender expression and identity can be unstable and change over distinct periods in their life.

What key elements comprise Sexual Identity?

Sexual Identity comprises a complex interplay of an individual’s personal qualities, self-perceptions, deeply held attitudes, fundamental values, and specific preferences that intricately contribute to and guide their sexual thoughts and behaviors.

What process is involved in 'Disclosing One’s Sexual Orientation'?

Disclosing one’s sexual orientation is an encompassing process that involves several stages: acknowledging one's attractions internally, recognizing and accepting this aspect of self, and then consciously labeling or articulating one's sexual orientation to oneself and potentially to others.

What kind of attitudes characterize Sexual Prejudice?

Sexual prejudice is characterized by negative, hostile, and discriminatory attitudes, as well as biases and stereotypes, directed specifically towards individuals based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation, particularly targeting sexual minorities.