Sociology Ch. 9 Flashcards
an individual’s membership in one of two categories-male or female-based on biological factors
sex
biological factors, such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs, that distinguish males from females
primary sex characteristics
physical differences between males and females, including facial and body hair, musculature, and bone structure, that are unrelated to reproduction
secondary sex characteristics
a person whose chromosomes or sex characteristics are neither exclusively male nor exclusively female
intersex
the physical, behavioral, and personality traits that a group considers normal for its male and female members
gender
those who believe gender roles have a genetic or biological origin and therefore cannot be changed
essentialists
a system of classification with only two distinct and opposite gender categories
gender binary
those who believe that notions of gender are socially determined, such that a binary system is just one possibility among many
constructionists
an individual’s self-definition or sense of gender
gender identity
term used when gender identity and/or expression aligns with the sex assigned at birth
cisgender
term used when gender identity and/or expression is different from the sex assigned at birth
transgender
an individual’s behavioral manifestations of gender
gender expression
term used when gender identity and/or expression differs from societal expectations about gender roles
gender nonconforming
the character or quality of being sexual
sexuality
the inclination to feel sexual desire toward people of a particular gender
sexual orientation or identity
sexual attraction toward members of the other gender
heterosexuality
sexual attraction toward members of one’s own gender
homosexuality
sexual attraction toward members of both genders
bisexuality
the lack of sexual attraction of any kind; no interest in or desire for sex
asexuality
social theory about gender and sexual identity; emphasizes the importance of difference and rejects ideas of innate identities or restrictive categories
queer theory
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer
LGBTQ
the lifelong process of learning to be masculine or feminine, primarily through agents of socialization
gender role socialization
the belief that heterosexuality is and should be the norm
heteronormativity
the process of learning behaviors and meanings through social interaction
social learning
a set of beliefs, norms, and values that normalizes sexual violence against women
rape culture
literally meaning “rule of the father”; a male-dominated society
patriarchy
the belief that one sex, usually male, is superior to the other
sexism
an ingrained prejudice against women; dislike, contempt, or hatred of women
misogyny
fear of or discrimination toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual people
homophobia
fear of or discrimination toward transgender or other gender-nonconforming people
transphobia
belief in the superiority of heterosexuality and heterosexuals
heterosexism
belief in the superiority of cisgender persons and identities
cisgenderism
