Gender and Sexuality

Gender and Sexual Orientation

Study of biological and psychological aspects of sex and gender,

Sex (Biological Sex)

Biological status as male or female,

Physical Characteristics

Features such as penis or vagina,

Sex Chromosomes

XX or XY,

SRY Gene

Gene on Y chromosome that triggers testes development,

Testosterone

Hormone influencing physical and brain development,

Variations in Sexual Development

Intersex—biological characteristics of both sexes,

Gender

Behavioral traits associated with boy, girl, man, woman,

Gender Roles

Expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for men and women; learned and reinforced in early childhood; can change over time,

Gender Identity

Personal sense of being male, female, neither, or a mix,

Transgender

Identity differs from biological sex,

Transgender Female

Biological male identifies as female,

Transgender Male

Biological female identifies as male,

Cisgender

Identity matches biological sex,

Sexual Orientation

Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction; not binary,

Same-Sex Attraction Prevalence

3–4% males, 2% females,

Determinants of Sexual Orientation

Nature vs. nurture factors,

Brain Structure

Hypothalamus differences,

Genetic Influences

Genes and gene-environment interactions,

Prenatal Hormone Exposure

Hormones affecting orientation,

Epigenetics

Chemical molecules affecting gene expression,

Older Brother Effect

More older brothers → higher likelihood of being gay (right-handed males),

Childhood Experiences

No unique patterns; myths exist,

Gender Nonconformity

Feeling “different” as children,

Same-Sex Attraction by Birth Order

1st born male