Key Words

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

The biological differences between males and females including chromosomes, hormones and anatomy

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

The psychological, social and cultural differences between boys/men and girls/women including attitudes, behaviours and social roles

Question 3

Sex-role stereotype

Answer 3

A set of beliefs and preconceived ideas about what is expected or appropriate for men and women in a given society or social group

Question 4

Chromosomes

Answer 4

Found in the nucleus of living cells and carrying information in the form of genes. The 23rd pair of chromosomes determines biological sex

Question 5

Hormone

Answer 5

A biochemical substance that circulates in the blood but only affects target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Their effects are very powerful

Question 6

Testosterone

Answer 6

A hormone from the androgen group that is produced mainly in the Male testes (and in smaller amounts in the female ovaries). Associated with aggressiveness

Question 7

Oestrogen

Answer 7

The primary female hormone, playing an important role in the menstrual cycle and reproductive system

Question 8

Oxytocin

Answer 8

A hormone which causes contraction of the uterus during labour and stimulates lactation

Question 9

Atypical sex chromosome patterns

Answer 9

Any sex chromosome pattern that deviates from the usual XX / XY formation and which tends to be associated with a distinct pattern of physical and psychological symptoms

Question 10

Klinefelter’s syndrome

Answer 10

dA syndrome affecting males in which an individual’s genotype has an extra X chromosome (in addition to the normal XY), characterised by a tall thin physique, small infertile testes, and enlarged breasts

Question 11

Turner’s syndrome

Answer 11

A chromosomal disorder in which affected women have only one X chromosome (denoted as XO), causing developmental abnormalities and infertility

Question 12

Gender identity

Answer 12

A child recognises that they are a boy or a girl and possesses the ability to label others as such. In Kohlberg’s theory, gender identity is acquired around age 2 years

Question 13

Gender stability

Answer 13

Happens around age 4 years. A child understands that their own gender is fixed and they will be a man or a woman when they are older

Question 14

Gender constancy

Answer 14

Usually reached by age 6 or 7 years. A child realises that gender remains the same over time and situations. They begin to identify with people of their own gender and start to behave in stereotypically gender-appropriate ways

Question 15

Gender schema

Answer 15

An organised set of beliefs and expectations related to gender that are derived from experience. Such schema guide a person’s understanding of their own gender and stereotypically gender-appropriate behaviour in general