GEE15 – Gender and Society: Chapter 1 Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terms and concepts from the lecture on gender and sexuality.

Biological and physiological differences between males and females, including chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs.

Sex

Socially and culturally constructed traits, roles, and expectations associated with being male or female.

Gender

A broad concept covering sexual orientation, behaviors, and feelings of attraction toward others.

Sexuality

Physical sex characteristics one is born with or develops (genitalia, body shape, voice, hormones, chromosomes).

Biological Sex

One’s internal sense of self as man, woman, both, neither, or another gender.

Gender Identity

The outward presentation of gender through dress, behavior, and mannerisms, interpreted via cultural norms.

Gender Expression

Assumption that heterosexuality and cisgender identities are the societal norm against which other identities are judged.

Heteronormativity

A person whose gender identity does not align with their assigned biological sex; may pursue gender-affirming procedures.

Transgender

Enduring emotional and sexual attraction toward others; includes heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, etc.

Sexual Orientation

A social system in which men hold primary power in political, economic, and private spheres.

Patriarchy

Prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination on the basis of sex.

Sexism

Average difference in earnings between men and women for comparable work.

Gender Pay Gap

Movement (First-wave feminism) advocating women’s right to vote, c. 1848–1920.

Women’s Suffrage

1848–1920 activism focused mainly on legal issues such as women’s suffrage.

First-Wave Feminism

1963–1980s movement addressing pay equality, reproductive rights, sexuality, and domestic violence.

Second-Wave Feminism

1990s wave emphasizing diversity, intersectionality, and challenging heteronormativity.

Third-Wave Feminism

Contemporary activism using digital tools (#MeToo) to combat sexual harassment and deconstruct gender norms.

Fourth-Wave Feminism

Analytical framework examining overlapping systems of oppression such as race, class, and gender.

Intersectionality

Culturally defined behaviors and attributes considered appropriate for men and women; not fixed and vary over time.

Gender Role (Sex Role)

Interdisciplinary field analyzing how reproductive roles, power relations, and gender norms shape society.

Gender Studies

Research strategy focused on meanings and lived experiences, using methods like interviews and observation.

Qualitative Approach

Qualitative method studying individuals’ lived experiences of a specific phenomenon through intensive interviews.

Phenomenology

Interpretive method analyzing texts or artworks to uncover meanings about human realities.

Hermeneutics

Research method involving immersion in a community to document beliefs, practices, and daily life.

Ethnography

Research strategy emphasizing measurement and statistical analysis of populations or samples.

Quantitative Approach

Quantitative method of collecting information from a sample to generalize about a population.

Survey

Research design comparing outcomes between treatment and control groups to test causal relationships.

Experiment

Combining qualitative and quantitative techniques within one study to enrich data and insights.

Mixed Methods

Ethical principle ensuring participants voluntarily agree to a study with full understanding of its purpose and procedures.

Informed Consent

Protecting participants’ identities and data from disclosure to unauthorized parties.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Ethical obligation for research to avoid causing harm to participants.

Non-Maleficence

Ethical requirement that research provide benefits or value to participants or society.

Beneficence

Ensuring research does not disadvantage marginalized groups and that benefits are shared equitably.

Distributive Justice