Glossary
Chromosomes
Thread-like structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes. Humans typically have 46 chromosomes, with 23 inherited from each parent.
Example:
When a baby is conceived, it receives 23 chromosomes from its mother and 23 from its father, forming a complete set of 46 chromosomes that dictate its genetic makeup.
David Reimer
A famous case study in psychology involving a boy who was reassigned as a girl after a botched circumcision, highlighting the complex interplay of biological and environmental factors in gender identity.
Example:
The tragic case of David Reimer demonstrated that gender identity is deeply rooted and cannot simply be altered by surgical reassignment and upbringing.
Double binds
Situations where an individual receives contradictory messages, often related to gender expectations, making it difficult to succeed regardless of their actions.
Example:
A female leader might face a double bind where if she is assertive, she is seen as 'bossy,' but if she is too collaborative, she is seen as 'weak.'
Gender
Encompasses the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of being male, female, or another gender, shaped by societal influences.
Example:
Societal expectations about how someone should dress or behave based on their perceived gender can vary widely across cultures.
Gender identity
An individual's deeply held inner sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender, which may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth.
Example:
Even if someone was assigned male at birth, their internal sense of self might be female, reflecting their true gender identity.
Gender roles
Societal expectations and norms about how males and females should think, act, and feel, often learned through observation and reinforcement.
Example:
The traditional gender role that expects men to be the primary financial providers is shifting in many modern societies.
Heterosexual
A sexual orientation characterized by attraction to individuals of the opposite sex.
Example:
Most people identify as heterosexual, meaning they are romantically and sexually attracted to individuals of the opposite gender.
Homosexual
A sexual orientation characterized by attraction to individuals of the same sex.
Example:
Research into the biological basis of homosexual orientation suggests genetic and brain differences may play a role in same-sex attraction.
Intersex Conditions
A general term for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the typical definitions of female or male.
Example:
A baby born with ambiguous genitalia might be diagnosed with an intersex condition, requiring careful medical and psychological consideration for their development.
Menarche
The first menstrual period, marking the culmination of female puberty and the onset of reproductive capability.
Example:
For many young women, experiencing menarche is a significant milestone, signaling their body's readiness for potential reproduction.
Primary Sex Characteristics
The body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible.
Example:
During puberty, the maturation of the primary sex characteristics, such as the ovaries in females and testes in males, enables individuals to reproduce.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Non-reproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, and body hair, that develop during puberty.
Example:
The development of breasts in females and a deepening voice in males are examples of secondary sex characteristics that emerge during adolescence.
Sex
Refers to the biological traits, such as chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy, that define individuals as male or female.
Example:
A person's assigned sex at birth is determined by their observable biological characteristics.
Sex Determination
The process by which the sex of an offspring is determined, primarily by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome from the father.
Example:
The father's sperm carries either an X or a Y chromosome, which is crucial for sex determination; an X results in a female (XX), and a Y results in a male (XY).
Sexual Orientation
An enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to men, women, or both sexes.
Example:
Understanding one's sexual orientation is a personal journey, whether it involves attraction to the opposite sex, the same sex, or both.
Simon LeVay's research
Neuroscientific research that suggested differences in brain structures (specifically the hypothalamus) between heterosexual and homosexual men, providing early biological evidence for sexual orientation.
Example:
Simon LeVay's research on brain differences in the hypothalamus offered a biological perspective on sexual orientation, though it remains a complex area of study.
Socialization
The lifelong process through which individuals learn and internalize the values, attitudes, behaviors, and norms of their culture.
Example:
Through socialization, children learn to share toys and take turns, which are important social behaviors.
Stereotype threat
A situational predicament in which individuals are at risk of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group, which can impair their performance.
Example:
A student from a minority group might experience stereotype threat on a standardized test if they are aware of negative stereotypes about their group's academic abilities, potentially leading to underperformance.
Testosterone
The most important of the male sex hormones, though present in both sexes. It stimulates the growth of the male sex organs in the fetus and the development of the male secondary sex characteristics during puberty.
Example:
During puberty, a surge in testosterone levels in adolescent boys leads to changes like voice deepening and the growth of facial hair.
X chromosome
A sex chromosome found in both males and females. Females typically have two X chromosomes (XX), while males typically have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).
Example:
Every human egg cell carries an X chromosome, meaning the mother always contributes an X to the offspring's genetic sex.
Y chromosome
A sex chromosome found only in males. Its presence typically triggers the development of male sex characteristics.
Example:
The presence of a Y chromosome in the 23rd pair is what signals the developing embryo to form testes and produce testosterone, leading to male biological sex.