exam 3 intro to sexuality

Biological Sex

Physical traits such as chromosomes hormones and genitalia that define someone as male or female

Gender

Social and psychological traits that include identity expression and roles

Gender Identity

An individual’s internal sense of being male female both or neither

Gender Expression

How a person outwardly presents their gender through appearance or behavior

Cisgender

Gender identity aligns with sex assigned at birth

Transgender

Gender identity differs from assigned sex

Intersex

Person born with both male and female biological characteristics

Turner’s Syndrome

Condition with XO chromosomes resulting in female traits and infertility

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

Condition with XXY chromosomes resulting in male traits with some female characteristics

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Genetic males insensitive to androgens and develop female traits

DHT Deficiency

Assigned female at birth but develop male traits at puberty

Interactional Model of Gender

Both biological and social factors influence gender development

Gender Fluid

Gender identity shifts over time or context

Androgynous

Combination of masculine and feminine traits in one person

Agender

No gender identity

Gender Dysphoria

Distress from mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex

Transitioning

Steps taken to align appearance or body with gender identity

Gender Roles

Societal expectations for masculine and feminine behavior

Social Learning Theory

Gender is learned through observation and imitation

Intersectionality

Overlapping social identities that influence experiences of privilege and oppression

Passionate Love

Intense emotion and physical attraction found in early stages of relationships

Companionate Love

Deep affection trust and commitment developing in long term relationships

Sternberg’s Triangular Theory

Model defining love as composed of passion intimacy and commitment

Passion

Physical attraction and desire

Intimacy

Emotional closeness and connectedness

Commitment

Decision to love and maintain the relationship

Five Love Languages

Words of affirmation acts of service receiving gifts quality time and physical touch

Similarity Effect

People choose partners with similar values and interests

Proximity Effect

Physical closeness increases relationship likelihood

Reciprocity

Mutual liking builds attraction and bonds

Physical Attractiveness

Early stage factor often tied to perceived health and desirability

Secure Attachment

Comfortable with intimacy and trust leading to stable relationships

Anxious Ambivalent Attachment

Fear of abandonment leading to jealousy and emotional highs and lows

Avoidant Attachment

Fear of intimacy leading to distance and emotional detachment

Jealousy

Emotional reaction tied to insecurity or control rather than love

Qualities of Lasting Love

Self acceptance communication shared interests equality and conflict resolution

Active Listening

Fully focusing on and understanding a partner’s message

I Statements

Express feelings without placing blame

Constructive Complaints

Calm blame free behavior focused discussions for solutions

Saying No Strategy

Acknowledge request clearly decline offer alternative

Gottman’s Constructive Tactics

Leveling editing validating

Gottman’s Destructive Tactics

Criticism contempt defensiveness stonewalling

Sexual Orientation

Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to others

Heterosexual

Attraction to opposite gender

Homosexual

Attraction to same gender

Bisexual

Attraction to more than one gender

Pansexual

Attraction regardless of gender identity

Asexual

Little or no sexual attraction to others

Kinsey Scale

Continuum from zero heterosexual to six homosexual

Sexual Fluidity

Attraction that changes over time or context

Psychosocial Theory

Environmental and social factors influence orientation but weak evidence

Biological Theory

Genetics hormones and brain structure influence orientation with strong evidence

Homophobia

Negative attitudes or fear toward LGBTQ plus people

Heterosexism

Belief that heterosexuality is superior

Stonewall Riots

Nineteen sixty nine protest that sparked the modern LGBTQ plus rights movement

Lawrence v Texas

Two thousand three case that decriminalized same sex sexual activity

Obergefell v Hodges

Two thousand fifteen Supreme Court case that legalized same sex marriage nationwide

Coming Out

Process of acknowledging and openly expressing one’s sexual or gender identity

Outing

Publicly revealing someone’s identity without their consent

Strengths of LGBTQ Plus Relationships

High communication conflict resolution and egalitarian balance

Parenting Options

Adoption surrogacy or assisted reproduction

Asexuality

Orientation with no sexual attraction yet possible emotional bonds

Affirmative Therapy

Approach helping LGBTQ plus clients cope with internalized stigma

Conversion Therapy

Discredited practice attempting to change sexual orientation

Same Sex Marriage Worldwide

Legal in over thirty countries but still criminalized in others

Mutual Empathy

Understanding and care reciprocated between partners

Love and Technology

Online connections increase options but create catfishing risk

Neurochemistry of Love

Dopamine norepinephrine and PEA produce passion while endorphins sustain attachment