PSYC1101: Chap 5: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Sex

In psychology, the biologically influenced characteristic by which people define males, females, and intersex

Gender

In psychology, the behavioral characteristics associated with boy, girl, man, and woman

Intersex

Possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth

Genetically

Physiologically

Aggression

Any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically oor emotionally

Relational aggression

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

Puberty

 a period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing

Gender role

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

Gender identity

Gender identity is our personal sense of being male, female, or some combination of the two. Ex; binary & Nonbinary

Social learning theory

Proposes that social behavior is learned in childhood by observing and imitating others’ gender-linked behavior and by being rewarded or punished for specific actions

Gender Typing

Involves the acquisition of traditional masculine or feminine role and varies from child-to-child, indicating there is more gender typing than solely observation and imitation

Androgyny

Displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics

Cisgender

Displaying gender correspondence with birth sex

Testosterone

Most important Male sex hormone

Estrogens

Sex hormones secreted in greater amounts by females than males; contribute to female sex characteristics

Pubertal surge

Triggers development of sex characteristics and sexual interest

Erectile disorder

Inability to develop or maintain an erection due to insufficient blood flow to the penis

premature ejaculation

Sexual climax that occurs before the man or his partner wishes

Female orgasmic disorder

Distress due to infrequently or never experiencing orgasm

Paraphilia

Sexual arousal from fantasies, behaviors, or urges involving nonhuman objects, the suffering of self or others, and/or non-consenting persons. Ex: necrophilia, exhibitionism, pedophilia)

Sexual orientation

Direction of sexual attractions, as reflected in longing and fantasies

Heterosexual orientation

Female-male sexual attraction

Same-sex orientation

Own sex attraction

Bisexual orientation

male and female attraction

Asexual orientation

No attraction at all

Pansexual

Not restricted to any gender or sex

Male answer syndrome(mansplaining)

A phenomenon related to mansplaining (men’s explaining something to women in a condescending, and sometimes inaccurate manner.)

X chromosome

The sex chromosome found in females and males.

Y chromosome

The sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother it produces a male child.

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 breast and hips, male voice quality, and body hair.

Spermarche

The first ejaculation.

Klinefelter syndrome

A genetic male may be born with two or more X chromosomes as well as a Y chromosome often resulting in sterility and small testes.

Turner syndrome

Genetic females, born with only one normal X chromosome may not have menstrual periods, developed breast or be able to have children without reproductive assistance

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 expression

drops hints, not only in language, but also in clothing, interest and possessions

Transgender

An umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth assign sex.