Chapter 5: Gender Issues Flashcards
Biological sex
Biological sex characteristics associated with being male, female, or intersex.
Gender identity
How one psychologically perceives one’s gender.
Gender expression
The way that we outwardly express our gender identity as masculine and/or feminine.
Cisgender or cis
Gender description for a person whose biological sex assigned at birth matches their gender identity. Sometimes shortened to cis.
Transgender or trans
Term widely used as an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the biological sex they were assigned at birth. Sometimes shortened to trans.
Gender assumptions
Assumptions about how people are likely to behave based on their maleness or femaleness.
Gender roles
A collection of attitudes and behaviors that are specific culture considers normal and appropriate for people of a particular biological sex.
Sperm
The male reproductive cell.
Ovum
The female reproductive cell.
Autosomes
The 22 pairs of human chromosomes that do not significantly influence sex differentiation.
Sex chromosomes
A single set of chromosomes that influences biological sex determination.
Testes
Male gonads inside the scrotum that produce sperm and sex hormones.
Gonads
The male and female sex glands: ovaries and testes.
Ovaries
Female gonads that produce ova and sex hormones.
Estrogens
A class of hormones that produce female secondary sex characteristics and affect the menstrual cycle.
Progestational compounds
A class of hormones, including progesterone, that are produced by the ovaries.
Androgens
A class of hormones that promote the development of male genitals and secondary sex characteristics and influence sexual motivation in both sexes. These hormones are produced by the adrenal glands in males and females and by the testes in males.
Hypothalamus
A small structure in the central core of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and regulates motivated behavior and emotional expression.
Cerebrum
The largest part of the brain, consisting of two cerebral hemispheres.
Cerebral hemispheres
The two sides (left and right) of the cerebrum.
Cerebral cortex
The outer layer of the brain’s cerebrum that controls higher mental processes.
Corpus callosum
The broad band of nerve fibers that connects the left and right cerebral hemispheres.
Disorder of sexual development (DSD)
Medical term for congenital conditions in which development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex is atypical.
Intersex
A term describing people who possess biological attributes of both male and female sexes.
Turner’s Syndrome
A rare condition, characterized by the presence of one unmatched X chromosome (XO), in which affected individuals have normal female external genitals but their internal reproductive structures do not develop fully. These individuals typically identify as female/woman.
Klinefelter’s Syndrome
A condition characterized by the presence of two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome (XXY) in which affected individuals have undersized external male genitals. This is the most common sex chromosome variation in humans. These individuals usually identify as male/man, although they have a higher than usual incidence of gender-identity confusion.
Androgen Sensitivity Syndrome (AIS)
A condition resulting from a genetic defect that causes chromosomally normal males to be insensitive to the action of testosterone and other androgens. These individuals develop female external genitals of normal appearance. These individuals typically identify as female/woman.
Fetally androgenized females
A chromosomally normal (XX) female who, as a result of excessive exposure to androgens during prenatal sex differentiation, develops external genitalia resembling those of a male. These individuals typically identify as female/woman but have a significant level of dissatisfaction with female gender identity, and are oriented toward traditional male activities.
DHT-deficient males
A chromosomally normal male (XY)
who develops external genitalia resembling those of a female as a result of a genetic defect that prevents the prenatal conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Androgyny
A blending of typical male and female characteristics in one individual.
Gender dysphoria
Distress about the incongruence between one’s gender identity and the sex one was assigned at birth.
Transitioning
The steps taken by trans people - from clothing to surgical alteration of their bodies - to match their appearance to their gender identity.
Gender confirmation surgery (GCS)
Surgery to modify genitals to match a transgender person’s gender identity.
Stereotype
A generalized notion of what a person is like based only on that person’s sex, race, religion, ethnic background, or similar criteria.
Intersectionality
The interconnected meaning and consequences of multiple, intersecting social identities within a person, such as gender, sexual orientation, and race.
Gender role socialization
The process by which our society conveys behavioral expectations to the individual.
Patriarchy
Social organization in which male power predominates.
Sexual scripts
General set of cultural expectations and “rules” for appropriate sexual behavior.
Genderqueer
Someone who does not follow binary gender norms.
Bigender
Someone who identifies as both man and woman at different times.
Gender fluid
Someone whose gender identity changes.
Androgynous
An individual who has a high degree of both feminine (expressive) and masculine (instrumental) traits.
Pangender
A person whose gender identity is not limited to one gender and may encompass all genders at once.
Gender expansive
An umbrella term sometimes used to describe people who expand notions of gender expression and identity beyond perceived or expected societal gender norms.
Agender
A person who does not identify with or experience any gender.
Gender neutral
Not gendered.
Non-binary
Refers to people who do not subscribe to the gender binary. They might exist between or beyond the man-woman binary.
Gender questioning
When someone isn’t sure where they are on the spectrum of gender identity.
