Gender

Question 1

Biological sex

Answer 1

biological sex characteristics associated with being
male or female

Question 2

Gender identity

Answer 2

psychological gender perception

Question 3

Gender expression

Answer 3

the way we outwardly express our gender identity
as masculine and/or feminine

Question 4

Gender identity as a biological process

Answer 4

typical prenatal differentiation
− 23 pairs of human chromosomes: 22 autosome pairs and 1 sex
chromosome pair

Question 5

Chromosomal sex

Answer 5

− XX: female
− XY: male
 DSS gene on X chromosome
 SRY gene on Y chromosome

Question 6

gonadal sex

Answer 6

ovaries or testes

Question 7

hormonal sex

Answer 7

ovaries: estrogens
testes: androgens

Question 8

Internal structures

Answer 8

− Wolffian duct: males
 Vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory ducts
− Müllerian duct: females
 Fallopian tubes, uterus, and inner third of the vagina

Question 9

External structures

Answer 9

− Genital tubercle: clitoris or penis
− Labioscrotal swelling: labia or scrotum

Question 10

Sex differentiation of the brain

Answer 10

− Hypothalamus: small structure in central core of the brain
 Controls pituitary gland
 Regulates motivated behavior and emotions
− Cerebral hemispheres: left and right sides of cerebrum
− Corpus callosum: broad band of nerve fibers
 Connects left and right cerebral hemispheres

Question 11

Differences in sexual development

Answer 11

− Atypical prenatal differentiation
 Intersex: a term describing people who possess biological
attributes of both male and female sexes

Question 12

Sex chromosome variations

Answer 12

− Turner’s syndrome: XO chromosomes
− Klinefelter’s syndrome: XXY chromosomes

Question 13

Variations affecting prenatal hormonal processes

Answer 13

− Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)
− Fetally androgenized females
− DHT-deficient males

Question 14

Treatment of intersex children

Answer 14

− Money’s approach: team chooses gender; physicians usually
provide surgical and/or hormonal treatments
− Follow-up of Money’s cases by Diamond: long-term problems with
surgical reassignment
 Diamond treatment: counsel parents according to best guessed
identity, avoid genital-altering surgeries during early years, and
provide quality counseling and information to child and parent

Question 15

Interactional model acknowledges both biology and experience in
gender development

Answer 15

Nature: biological determinants
− Nurture: social learning and the environment

Question 16

Relative roles are still unclear

Answer 16

Further research and long-term longitudinal analyses will help
clarify

Question 17

Transgender variations

Answer 17

Transgender (trans): gender identity differs from what is typical of
the sex assigned at birth
− Androgyny: blending of typical male and female behaviors in one
individual

Question 18

Transitioning

Answer 18

steps taken by trans people to match appearance to gender identity
− Clothing to gender confirmation surgery
 “top” surgery and “bottom” surgery
− Debate on best approaches to any medical intervention with
adolescents
− Outcomes of surgery for adults
 Often improvement in psychological well-being and overall
adjustment to life

Question 19

Sexual orientation of transgender people

Answer 19

− Many trans people identify as heterosexual
− Others identify as gay or prefer more flexible terms

Question 20

Acceptance and civil rights

Answer 20

Rapid changes in understanding and acceptance
− Rights are advancing on the federal level
− Still significant bias and work to be done

Question 21

Gender roles

Answer 21

Gender-based stereotypes (North American)
− Males: independent and aggressive
− Females: dependent and submissive
* Recent trend away from strict stereotypes
− Women less entrenched in rigid gender-role stereotypes

Question 22

How do we learn gender roles?

Answer 22

− Ethnic variations
− Parents
− Peers
− Schools and books
− Media
− Religion

Question 23

Gender-role expectations

Answer 23

Women are undersexed; men are oversexed
− Men are initiators; women are controllers
− Men are unemotional; women are nurturing and supportive