Introduction to Sociology 3e: Chapter 12 - Key Terms and Definitions

Biological Determinism

The belief that men and women behave differently due to inherent sex differences related to their biology.

Doing Gender

The performance of tasks based upon the gender assigned to us by society and, in turn, ourselves.

DOMA

Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 U.S. law explicitly limiting the definition of "marriage" to a union between one man and one woman and allowing each individual state to recognize or deny same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Double Standard

The concept that prohibits premarital sexual intercourse for women but allows it for men.

Gender

A term that refers to social or cultural distinctions of behaviors that are considered male or female.

Gender Dysphoria

A condition listed in the DSM-5 in which people whose gender at birth is contrary to the one they identify with. This condition replaces "gender identity disorder".

Gender Identity

A person's deeply held internal perception of one's gender.

Gender Role

Society's concept of how men and women should behave.

Glass Ceiling

An invisible barrier that women encounter when trying to win jobs in the highest level of business.

Heterosexism

An ideology and a set of institutional practices that privilege straight people and heterosexuality over other sexual orientations.

Homophobia

An extreme or irrational aversion to gay, lesbian, bisexual, or all LGBTQ people, which often manifests as prejudice and bias.

Intersex

People born with sex characteristics (including genitals, gonads, and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.

Misogyny

The hatred of, aversion to, or prejudice against women.

Pay Gap

The difference in earnings between men and women.

Sex

A term that denotes the presence of physical or physiological differences between males and females.

Sexism

The prejudiced belief that one sex should be valued over another.

Sexual Orientation

A person's physical, mental, emotional, and sexual attraction to a particular sex (male or female).

Sexuality

A person's capacity for sexual feelings.

Social Construction of Sexuality

Socially created definitions about the cultural appropriateness of sex-linked behavior which shape how people see and experience sexuality.,

Transgender

An adjective that describes individuals who identify with the behaviors and characteristics that are other than their biological sex.