Sex and Gender Flashcards
What is biological sex?
Characteristics associated with being female, male or intersex –> genetic, anatomical, hormonal
What is Gender Identity?
How one psychologically perceives one’s gender –> Subjective identifications, “brain sex.”
How does sex and gender differ?
Sex is biological, while gender is cultural.
What is Gender Expression?
The way we outwardly express our gender identity as masculine or feminine (on a spectrum).
What is Gender Expression attributed to?
biological, psychological and social factors
What are Gender Assumptions?
The assumptions about people are likely to behave based on their maleness or females.
What are Gender roles?
A collection of attitudes and behaviours that a specific culture considers normal and appropriate.
What is Social Learning?
Social learning is acquiring knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours through observing and interacting with others in a social context.
What is Social Learning in regards to gender identity?
Our identification of gender roles is shaped by the societal and cultural models and influences we encounter during our development. Before birth, the preconceived notions about boys and girls are already established.
What is the average age at which a child has a firm sense of gender identity?
Age 3.
What do Gender Labelling Studies Show?
Despite babies and children being a similar size and muscle tone, parents describe:
- Boys as active, robust and strong
- Girls as soft and delicate
What did Margaret Mead do?
She conducted field studies on the cultural difference in gender –> three tribes:
1. Mundugumar
2. Arapesh
3. Tchambuli
What was significant about each Tribe that Margaret Mead looked at?
- Mundugumar: both sexes are aggressive, insensitive, uncooperative, non-nurturing, violent, competitive
- Arapesh: both sexes are sensitive, cooperative, nurturing, gentle
- Tchambuli: masculine and feminine gender roles were reversed of what is typically expected in Western cultures
What are Stereotypes?
A generalised notion of what a person is like based only on that person’s sex, race, religion, ethnic background
What is Androgyny?
A blending of typical male and female characteristics in an individual.
What are some characteristics of Adrongy?
Behavioural flexibility
Increase self-esteem
Decision-making in group settings
good interpersonal skills
What is Transgender?
Relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond with the sex registered for them at birth.
What is Transsexual?
Relating to a transgender person, especially one whose bodily characteristics have been altered through surgery or hormone treatment to align them with their gender identity (gender dysphoria).
What is transvestism?
Dressing in the clothing of opposite sex –> typically for sexual arousal.
At what age do individuals report feeling transsexual?
Early age, between 5 and 6.
How many Chromosomes do humans have?
46 –> 23 pairs
What chromosomes represent a female and a male?
Female – XX
Male – XY
What are the Differentiation Processes in Biological Sex?
- Chromosomal Sex
- Gonadal Sex (6th week)
- Hormonal Sex (8th week)
- Internal Reproductive Structures (duct systems)
- External Genitals (complete by 12th week)
- Brain Development
The biological sex is determined at conception by the chromosomal makeup of the _____ and _____.
sperm and an ovum
What are Gonads?
Reproductive organs that produce gametes (sex cells) and hormones. Ovaries and Testes.
When are Gonads differentiated?
Begins six weeks after conception
What happens in Hormonal Sex?
Gonads produce hormones and secrete them directly into the bloodstream:
- Overaise produces estrogen and progestational compounds.
- Testes produce androgen (testosterone)
It influences the development of female physical sex characteristics and helps regulate the menstrual cycle.
Estrogen and Progestational compounds
Influences the development of male physical sex characteristics and sexual motivation in both sexes.
Testosterone
What happens during the Internal Reproductive Structures part? Differentiate males and females
The Wolffian ducts and the Mullerian ducts begin to differentiate into internal structures.
Males → androgens stimulate the Wolffian ducts to develop into the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts. The Mullerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) causes the Mullerian duct system to shrink and disappear in males.
Females → in the absence of androgens, the foetus will develop female structures. The Mullerian ducts develop into the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the inner third of the vagina, and the Wolffian duct system degenerates.
The External Genitals
Until the gonads begin releasing hormones during the 6th week, the external genital tissues of male and female foetuses are undifferentiated.
Depending on the presence or absence of a testosterone product known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
ales: DHT stimulates the labioscrotal swelling to become the scrotum and the genital tubercle and genital folds to differentiate into the glans and shaft of the penis
Females: In the absence of testosterone and under the influence of DSS, the genital tubercle becomes the clitoris, the genital folds become the inner vaginal lips, and two sides of the labioscrotal swelling differentiate into the outer vaginal lips.
By what week is the differentiation process between genitals complete?
12th week
What does intersex mean?
It describes people who possess biological attributes of both male and female sexes.
What are other terms to describe Intersex?
Ambiguous Genitalia:
Hermaphrodite, tue hermaphrodite, pseudo hermaphrodite
What are the Four components of Sexuality?
- biological sex
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
- social gender roles
What is Sexual Orientation
It is distinguished by an emotional, romantic, sexual or affectionate attraction to individuals of a particular sex.
Reconigses heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual orientation, pansexual/omnisexual.
What is Sexual Behaviour?
Simply how people behave in a sexual situation
What is the Kinsley Scale
A seven-point continuum to capture the spectrum of sexual orientation. 0 = exclusively heterosexual, 6 = exclusively homosexual, 3 = equal attraction to both sexes (bi-sexual).
What are the findings of the Kinsley Scale?
- men and women typically claim to fall on the far ends of the scale.
- however, women are also found between 2 and 5.
What are the limitations of the Kinsley Scale?
It gives a static label of sexual orientation.
Placement on the scale can vary, and it is better observed through patterns across the lifespan.
Categories are vague → What is “incidental attraction.”
What is the “By Default” Theory?
Unhappy heterosexual experiences cause a person to become homosexual. This is reflected in statements such as “all a lesbian needs is a good lay.”
What are the limitations of the By Default Theory?
Suggests homosexuality is the default choice for people who have not had satisfactory heterosexual relationships.
No supporting research
What is the Seduction Myth?
Young men and women “become gay” because older homosexuals have seduced them or they have “caught it” from someone.
What are the limitations of the Seduction Myth?
Implies that orientation is a choice.
There is no supporting research.
What is Homophobia?
Describes anti-homosexual attitudes, irrational fears of homosexual people and fear and loathing of homosexual feelings in oneself. Expressed through discrimination, violence, bullying, harassment, and marginalisation.
What are the Causes of Homophobia?
Lack of acceptance, ignorance
traditional and rigid roles
an extreme manifestation of cultural norms
perceived threat to masculinity and gender role expectation
denial of one on homosexual feelings.
What is the trend for acceptance of homophobia?
There has been an increased acceptance to homosexuality. More exposure in the media is present
