Chapter 11 Flashcards
Gonads
Glands that produce sex hormones and generate ova (eggs) in females and sperm in males; collectively called gametes, the ova and sperm are the cells that eventually will be used in reproduction.
Gonadal hormones: estrogens or androgens play role in the development of:
Internal reproductive structures
external genitalia
Secondary sex characteristics (at puberty)
Gender Identity
An individual’s multifaceted sense of belonging to the male or female sex.
Masuclinity
instrumentality
Femininity
Expressiveness
Androgyny
Having attributes that are typically associated with both genders.
Embryonic development of gonads and genitalia
SRY gene (the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome)- testes- androgens- male physiology
Disorders of Sexual Development
Congenital conditions in which the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex is atypical, formally called intersex conditions or hermaphroditism. Questions of relation of DSD to gender development
Transgender
Experiencing one’s psychological gender as different from one’s physical sex, as in the cases of biological males who identity as female and biological females who identify as male.
Mostly MTF (male to female)
Experiences gender dysphoria: refer to a person’s discomfort with his or her natal gender.
May do gender-affirming surgery (sex reassignment surgery) that involves the surgical reconstruction of the genitals
Biological accounts
Behavioral difference in newborns and infants.
Evolutionary accounts
Selection pressures for gendered behaviors
competition for mate (usually by male)
Preferences/choice for quality mate (usually by female)
Reproductive challenges: quality (seeking sexual partners who have adequate resources to invest in a family) vs. quantity (reproducing as often as possible)
Sexual selection
According to Darwin’s theory of evolution, the differentiation between the male and female members of a species because of the differences between the two in competition and choice.
Social cognitive accounts
Experience influences sense of gender
Socialization (rewards, punishments, modeling)
Gender schema (mental framework for understanding what is considered appropriate behavior for females and males in their culture)
Social role theory
Eagly’s theory of gender development that, while acknowledging the physical differences between the sexes, argues that these differences color social expectations and create social structures that limit opportunities for both sexes.
Division of labor: natural differences become expected/ valued differences and internalize gender roles and gender stereotypes.
Gender roles
Roles that reflect individual’s expectation for how a female person and how a male person should think, act, and feel.
Gender stereotypes
Overly general beliefs and expectations about what women and men are like.
Empathy
A feeling of oneness with the emotional state of another person.
Possible differences between genders
Math and science
Verbal performance (female advantage)
Visuospatial ability (male advantage)
General intelligence (no advantage)
Differences due to:
Social expectation and support versus evolved roles
Gender similarities hypothesis
Gender similarities hypothesis
Hyde’s proposition that men and women are much more similar than they are different
Overt aggression
Physically or verbally harming another person directly. (males more than females)
Relational aggression
Behavior that is meant to harm the social standing of another person (cyberbullying)
Differences in sexuality
Females more selective in regards to causal sex
Males more often aroused, stronger sex drive, less fidelity
Women more likely to engage in bisexuality or be aroused by bisexual stimuli
Explanation: differences in sexuality
Biological: genetic/hormonal differences
Evolutionary: sexual selection
Social cognitive: learned behavior
Social role: culturally constructed
Sexual orientation
Direction of an individual’s erotic interests; refers to more than just sexual behavior.
What are the orientations?
Heterosexual
Homosexual
Bisexual
Orientation is not influenced by:
Being reared by a gay parent
Parenting style
Childhood sexual experimentation
Thinking critically about sexual orientation
- Probably not a single cause
- Within-group variation
- Research challenges such as recruitment
- Meaning of cross-sex similarities
- Consideration of more than just homosexuality
Orientation is influenced by:
- Genetics
- Corpus callosum thickness and hemispheric symmetry
- Prenatal hormones
- Social factors (gender non-conforming behavior)
Gay and lesbian functioning: similarities to heterosexual population
Attitudes, psychological adjustment
Gay and lesbian functioning: difference from heterosexual population
hobbies, activities, occupations
Gay and lesbian functioning: coping with prejudice and discrimination
coming out
Gay and lesbian functioning: relationships
Report greater satisfaction than heterosexuals
More likely to end relationships than heterosexuals
Gay and Lesbian functioning: Families
Less likely to have children
Children of gay couples have not shown differences from other children
What constitutes Sexual Behavior?
Infidelity or loss of virginity
Activities involved in reproduction
Arousal and sexual response
Unusually intimate and personal activity as defined by the participants
Cognitive factors in sexual behavior
Self-monitoring and self-regulation
Fantasy and imagery
Sexual scripts
Comprehensive sex education
Involves providing students with comprehensive knowledge about sexual behavior, birth control, and the use of condoms in protection sexually transmitted infections, while encouraging them to delay sexual activity and practice abstinence
Abstinence-only sex education
Emphasize that sexual behavior outside of marriage is harmful to individuals of any age. Instructors can only present contraceptives and condoms only in terms of their failure rates.
Fetish
An object or activity that arouses sexual interest and desire
Paraphilias
Sexual disorders that feature recurrent sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving nonhuman objects; the suffering or humiliation or oneself or one’s partner; or children or other nonconsenting individuals
Pedophilia
An adult or an older adolescent sexually fantasizes about or engages in sexual behavior with individuals who have not reached puberty.
Female dysfunction in arousal
Problems in the autonomic nervous system that disrupt the engorgement of the labia and lubrication of the vagina for some women; others it is the subjective feeling of arousal that is absent when these physical changes occur.
Erectile dysfunction
The failure of the penis to become erect
Premature ejaculation
The experience of orgasm before the person wishes it.
Sexually transmitted infections
An infection that is contracted primarily through sexual activity- genial intercourse as well as oral and anal sex.
Bacteria: gonorrhea, syphilis
Viruses: genital herpes, HIV
Safe sex
Risk reduction with condom use
Psychological well-being
Sexual activity is predictor of satisfaction in relationships
