Gender: Glossary

Question 1

Define sex

Answer 1

The biological differences between males and females including chromosomes, hormones and anatomy.

Question 2

Define gender

Answer 2

The psychological and cultural differences between males and females including attitudes, behaviours and social roles.

Question 3

Define sex-role stereotype

Answer 3

A set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for males and females in a given society.

Question 4

Define androgyny

Answer 4

Displaying a balance of masculine and feminine characteristics in one’s personality.

Question 5

Define Bem’s sex role inventory

Answer 5

The first systematic attempt to measure androgyny using a rating scale of 60 traits (20 masculine, 20 feminine, 20 neutral) to produce scores across two dimensions: masculinity-femininity and androgynous-undifferentiated.

Question 6

Define chromosomes

Answer 6

Found in the nucleus of living cells carrying information in the form of genes; the 23rd pair of chromosomes determines biological sex.

Question 7

Define hormone

Answer 7

A chemical substance circulated in the blood that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs.

Question 8

Define testosterone

Answer 8

A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the male testes (and in smaller amounts in the female ovaries). Associated with aggressiveness.

Question 9

Define estrogen

Answer 9

The primary female hormone, playing an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproductive system.

Question 10

Define oxytocin

Answer 10

A hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation.

Question 11

Define atypical sex chromosome patterns

Answer 11

Any sex chromosome pattern that deviates from the usual XX/XY formation and which tends to be associated with a distinct pattern of physical and psychological symptoms.

Question 12

Define Klinefelter’s syndrome

Answer 12

A syndrome affecting males in which an individual’s genotype has an extra X chromosome, characterised by a tall thin physique, small infertile testes, and enlarged breasts.

Question 13

Define Turner’s syndrome

Answer 13

A chromosomal disorder in which affected women have only one X chromosome, causing developmental abnormalities and infertility.

Question 14

Define gender identity

Answer 14

Acquired around age 2. The child recognises that they are a boy or a girl and possesses the ability to label others as such.

Question 15

Define gender stability

Answer 15

Happens around age 4, The child understands that their own gender is fixed and that they will be male of female when they are older.

Question 16

Define gender constancy

Answer 16

Usually reached by age 6 or 7. The child realises that gender is consistent over time and situations; they begin to identify with people of their own gender and start to behave in gender-appropriate ways.

Question 17

Define gender schema

Answer 17

An organised set of beliefs and expectations related to gender that are derived from experience. Such schema guide a person’s understanding of their own gender and gender-appropriate behaviour in general.

Question 18

Define Oedipus complex

Answer 18

Freud’s explanation of how a boy resolves his love for his mother and feelings of rivalry towards his father by identifying with his father.

Question 19

Define Electra complex

Answer 19

A term proposed by the neo-Freudian Carl Jung which refers to the process similar to the Oedipus complex. In girls, an attraction to and envy of their fathers is resolved through identification with their mothers.

Question 20

Define identification

Answer 20

A desire to be associated with a particular person or group often because they possess certain desirable characteristics.

Question 21

Define internalisation

Answer 21

An individual adopts the attitudes and/or behaviour of another.

Question 22

Define social learning theory (SLT)

Answer 22

A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.

Question 23

Define gender roles

Answer 23

A set of behaviours and attitudes that are considered appropriate for one gender and inappropriate for the other.

Question 24

Define culture

Answer 24

The ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular group of people or society.

Question 25

Define media

Answer 25

Communication channels, such as TV, film and books, through which news, entertainment, education and data are made available.

Question 26

Define gender identity disorder (GID)

Answer 26

Characterised by strong, persistent feelings of identification with the opposite gender and discomfort with one’s own assigned sex. People with GID desire to live as members of the opposite sex and often dress and use mannerisms associated with the opposite gender. Also referred to as transgenderism or gender dysphoria.