SEX - a physical description of reproductive capacity. biological aspects of a person, anatomical, hormonal     (ascribed status)

GENDER - the social definition of the physical attributes of sex, the meaning assigned by society to physical characteristics (learned or achieved status).

GENDER IDENTITY - an individual's awareness and self-definition based on gender, a fundamental characteristics of identity.

GENDER ROLE —  patterns, attitudes and behavior that a society expects of an individual because of their gender.

GENDERED ROLE — a social role that is identified with one specific gender such as policeman.

MASCULINITY - roles and attributes assigned to men by society.

FEMININITY - roles and attributes assigned to women by society.

PERSONHOOD - a definition of the roles and attributes of members in society that is not gender diffferentiated.

DIVISION OF LABOR - assignments of work to men and women.

SEX ROLE  - role taken by each partner in a sexual relationship.

SEXUALITY - an expression of physical sexual behavior.

SEXISM - the belief in the inherent superiority of one sex and the right to dominate.

ANDROGYNY - roles and attributes undifferentiated by gender.

BIOLOGICAL DETERMINISM - biology is destiny. physical characteristics determine behavior.

BIOLOGICAL REDUCTIONISM - all behavior can be explained by physical attributes.

Return to Soc 311