Topic 4: Sexuality

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women
Exmpl: Male, Female

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.
Exmpl: Masculine, feminine

Question 3

Human sex determination and differentiation

Answer 3

Under typical circumstances, the sex of an individual will be determined and expressed through the following mechanisms:

• Chromosomal Sex (genetics): Presence or absence of Y chromosome
• Gonadal Sex (Primary Sex Determination): At first the gonads of both sexes look the same /indifferent gonads/. How the gonads develop depends on the presence or absence of a protein called TDF (testis determining factor), which in turn depends on whether or not the embryo has an Y chromosome bearing the SRY gene. Beginning of differentiation: seventh week of intrauterine development.
• Phenotypic Sex (Secondary Sex Differentiation): Determined by the hormonal products produced by the gonads.

Question 4

DSD / Intersexuality

Answer 4

Intersex’ is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. For example, a person might be born appearing to be female on the outside, but having mostly male-typical anatomy on the inside.
Though we speak of intersex as an inborn condition, intersex anatomy doesn’t always show up at birth

Question 5

Definition of DSD

Answer 5

Disorders of Sex Development –> congenital conditions in which development of chromosomal, gonadal or anatomic sex is atypical.

Question 6

Components of attraction - Female preferences

Answer 6

1. The ability and willingness to provide resources
2. The ability and willingness to provide protection.
3. The ability and willingness to engage in parenting activities

Question 7

Components of attraction - Male preferences

Answer 7

1. Youth
2. Beauty
3. Body size/shape
4. Behavioral Characteristics:

Question 8

Sexual orientation

Answer 8

The Kinsey scale of sexual orientation:
0–> Exclusively heterosexual
1–> Predominantly heterosexual, only incidentally homosexual
2–>Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual
3–> Equally heterosexual and homosexual
4–>Predominantly homosexual, but more than incidentally heterosexual
5–> Predominantly homosexual, only incedentally heterosexual
6–> Exclusively homosexual
X–> Asexual, nonsexual