Chapter 10 - Sex & Gender Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the conceptual distinctions, origins, personality differences, and cognitive/behavioural aspects of sex and gender based on lecture notes.

Sex

Biological categories based on chromosomes and genitalia that are assigned at birth.

Gender

Socially constructed roles, behaviours, and identities.

Cisgender

Individuals who have identities that are congruent with their sex assigned at birth.

Transgender

Individuals who have identities that are not congruent with their sex assigned at birth.

Case of David Reimer (Brenda)

A case study showing that gender identity is not purely cultural and cannot be reassigned without psychological distress.

Evolutionary Theory

A theory suggesting sex differences in personality evolved from different reproductive pressures and investment costs.

Social Role Theory

A theory proposing that differences arise because society assigns different roles to men and women based on physical attributes, which then become culturally ingrained.

Big Five Differences

Personality differences where women score higher in agreeableness and neuroticism, specifically regarding anxiety and vulnerability.

HEXACO Differences

Personality differences where women score higher in emotionality and honesty/humility.

People vs Thing

One of the largest psychological sex differences, where women are generally more interested in people-orientated careers and men in thing-orientated ones.

Double-Bind

A leadership dilemma where assertive women are respected but not liked, while amiable women are liked but not respected.

Leadership Effectiveness

The phenomenon where others generally rate women as more effective leaders, though men tend to rate themselves higher.

Spatial Abilities

A cognitive area where men typically show higher performance.

Language and Decoding Abilities

Cognitive areas where women typically show higher performance.

Math Abilities

Cognitive abilities that are identical between sexes, suggesting any perceived difference is due to cultural factors or stereotype threat.

Nonverbal Behaviour

Behavioural differences where women smile more and are facially expressive, while men exhibit more body expansiveness by taking up space.

Sexuality

Differences in sexual reporting where men report a higher desire for casual sex and more lifetime partners, though most men and women desire one stable partner.