Midterm Vocab Review

Question 1

Sexual Dimorphism

Answer 1

There are two and only two distinct sex categories.

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

Refers to socially constructed and historically variable relationships, cultural meanings, and identities through which socially recognized sex categories become socially significant and used for the basis of gender inequality.

Question 3

Cisgender

Answer 3

When a person’s gender assigned at birth, their bodies, and their personal identity align.

Question 4

Transgender

Answer 4

An umbrella term to describe those whose gender assigned at birth does not align with their gender identity; they may or may not take various steps to align their gender identity and gender expression.

Question 5

Intersex

Answer 5

Having physical sex characteristics of both the male and female sex categories.

Question 6

Genderqueer

Answer 6

Identifying as neither exclusively masculine or feminine.

Question 7

Patriarchy

Answer 7

Society dominated by men.

Question 8

Ethnocentrism

Answer 8

Judging a culture by the standards of a different culture.

Question 9

Cultural Relativsm

Answer 9

Evaluating the practices and beliefs of a culture from the perspective of the culture itself.

Question 10

Symbolic Violence

Answer 10

The ideas and values of the dominant group imposed on a dominant social group.

Question 11

Sexuality

Answer 11

Refers to erotic desires, practices, and identities.

Question 12

Oppression

Answer 12

Systematic exclusion of members of specific groups from access to resources and opportunities due to their membership in that group; benefits some as it disadvantages others.

Question 13

Ideology

Answer 13

A set of ideas, beliefs, and myths held by society.

Question 14

Hegemony

Answer 14

Refers to the control by a dominant group over other groups through ideas and values, rather than force. (In a hegemonic society, the ideas of the ruling class come to be seen as the norm).

Question 15

Masculinity

Answer 15

Socially determined rules and expectations of men’s behaviors and rules.

Question 16

Femininity

Answer 16

Socially determined rules and expectations of women’s behaviors and roles.

Question 17

Gender Norms

Answer 17

Socially expected behaviors of gender categories.

Question 18

Androcentrism

Answer 18

Belief that men and masculinity are different from and superior to women and femininity.

Question 19

Gender Polarization

Answer 19

Behaviors and attitudes viewed as appropriate for men are seen as inappropriate for women, and vice versa.

Question 20

Hegemonic Masculinity

Answer 20

The dominant masculinity at the top of hierarchies of masculinities.

Question 21

Emphasized Femininity

Answer 21

Since power results with men, there is no hegemonic femininity, only one that is emphasized or preferred.

Question 22

Hyperfemininity

Answer 22

Particularly exaggerated, emphasized, and ideal performance of femininity.

Question 23

Socialization

Answer 23

The process through which individuals become skilled at acting and adapting their behavior in accordance with the norms of a culture or society. (What are the norms; What is acceptable and what is not.)

Question 24

Gender Socialization

Answer 24

The process through which we learn how what is properly masculine and feminine in our society.

Question 25

Heteronormativity

Answer 25

The assumption that everyone is heterosexual.

Question 26

Social control

Answer 26

Methods used to teach, persuade, or force members (and sometimes non-members) of a group or society to comply with its norms and expectations.

Question 27

Stigmatization

Answer 27

Involves informal social ostracizing and/or social criticism.

Question 28

Pathologizing

Answer 28

Treating non-conformity as pathology (ex. Gayness=disease, women’s unhappiness in traditional roles=hysteria).

Question 29

Victimization

Answer 29

A mechanism of social control, typically involves the threat or the actual use of violence to encourage or discourage particular behaviors.

Question 30

“Girl watching”

Answer 30

Serves to objectify women and remind them of their status as objects.

Question 31

Commodification

Answer 31

Process of turning an idea, value, behavior, characteristic, or objects into something that can be bought and sold.