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)
