AP Psych Unit 3 | Influence of Sex and Gender on Development

sex

the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex

X chromosome

sex chromosome that both males and females have

• females typically have two X chromosomes (XX)

Y chromosome

sex chromosome found only in males

• males typically have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), which determines male biological sex

primary sex characteristics

the reproductive organs and structures directly involved in reproduction, such as the ovaries, testes, and external genitalia

secondary sex characteristics

physical traits that develop during puberty but are not directly involved in reproduction, like breast development, facial hair, and voice deepening

menarche

a girl’s first menstrual period, signaling the beginning of puberty and the ability to reproduce

spermarche

a boy’s first production of sperm, marking the start of puberty and the ability to reproduce

gender

the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex

sexual orientation

a person’s sexual and emotional attraction to others of a certain sex or gender and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction

gender identity

an individual’s internal sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, which may or may not align with their assigned sex at birth

gender roles

societal expectations and norms for behavior, attitudes, and activities typically associated with being male or female

gender schema theory

explains children’s development mental frameworks (schemas) for gender based on cultural input, organizing information as “masculine” or “feminine”