(2) Chapter 3 - The psychology of sex and gender Flashcards
Sex role stereotype
Based on beliefs about typical masculine or feminine behaviour. Using sex-role stereotypes (also known as gender stereotype) tends to exaggerate the differences between women and men and underestimate people’s individuality.
Androgen insensitivity syndrome
Medical syndrome affecting 1 in 20,000 of those born with an XY genetic make-up and affecting the typical male/female bodily appearance. Symptoms include infertility and external genitalia that can range from completely male to completely female. Those with the syndrome may be raised as either male or female.
Klinefelter’s syndrome
Medical syndrome affecting 1 in 500 males, in which the typical male chromosomal complement – XY – is replaced by XXY. Accompanying features are unusually tall stature, enlarged breasts, infertility and problems such as diabetes.
Sexual dimorphism
Where a part of the body (including the brain) shows visible differences between males and females.
Corpus callosum
A thick tract of neurons connecting the two hemispheres of the human brain, which enables the two sides of the brain to ‘talk’ to each other.
Brain lateralization
Structural or functional asymmetry in the brain.
Optimal reproductive style
Characteristics and behaviours that are most likely to result in producing children/ descendants.
Parental investment
The amount of energy and effort required to produce and rear offspring.
Introject
To incorporate the characteristics of another person into one’s own self-image, during the development of one’s own identity.
Reality principle
The idea that, providing all goes well enough during the course of development, individuals are increasingly able to recognize the nature of the reality that they experience.
Sexual object choice
Whether we desire someone of the same or the other sex.
