Unit 3: Module 3.2a - 3.3a Flashcards
Teratogens
Agents, such as chemicals and viruses, that can reach the embryo or fetus during prenatal development and cause harm
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
Physical and cognitive function deficits in children caused by their birth mother’s heavy drinking during pregnancy
Maturation
Biological growth processes that enable orderly changes in behavior, relatively uninfluenced by experience
Critical Period
An optimal period early in the life of an organism when exposure to certain stimuli or experiences produces normal development
Sex
The biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male, female, and intersex
Gender
The attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a give culture associates with a person’s biological sex
Intersex
Possessing male and female biological sexual characteristics at birth
Aggression
Any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally
Relational Aggression
An act of aggression intended to harm a person’s relationship or social standing
X Chromosome
The sex chromosome found in females and males. Females have 2 x chromosomes
Y Chromosome
The sex chromosome typically found in only males
Testosterone
The most important male sex hormone. Both males and females have it but it stimulates growth of male sex organs in the fetal period
Etrogens
Sex hormones, that contribute to female sex characteristics and are secreted more in females then males
Primary Sex Characteristics
The body structures that make sexual reproduction possible
Secondary Sex Characteristics
No reproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips
Spermarche
The first ejaculation
Menarche
The first menstrual period
Role
A set of expectations about a social position/how people should behave based on social norms
Gender Role
A set of expected behaviors and traits for men and women
Sexual Aggression
Any behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or intended to harm someone
Gender Identity
Personal sense of being male, female, neither, or some combination of male and female, regardless of whether this identity matches our sex assigned at birth
Social Learning Theory
The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
Gender Typing
The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role
Androgyny
Blending traditionally masculine and traditionally feminine psychological characteristics
