12 Gender, Sex, and Sexuality

DOMA

Defense of Marriage Act; a 1996 US law explicitly limiting the definition of "marriage" to a union between one man and one woman and allowing each individual state to recognize or deny same-sex marriages performed in other states

Compared to most Western societies, U.S. sexual attitudes are considered _______. a conservative b liberal c permissive d free

a conservative

Which theoretical perspective stresses the importance of regulating sexual behavior to ensure marital cohesion and family stability? a functionalism b conflict theory c symbolic interactionalism d queer theory

a functionalism

gender dysphoria

a condition listed in the DSM-5 in which people whose gender at birth is contrary to the one they identify w/; replaces "gender identity disorder"

sexuality

a person's capacity for sexual feelings

gender identity

a person's deeply held internal perception of his/her gender

sexual orientation

a person's physical, mental, emotional, and sexual attraction to a particular sex (male or female)

sex

a term that denotes the presence of physical or physiological differences between males and females

gender

a term that refers to social/cultural distinctions of behaviors that are considered male or female

transgender

an adjective that describes individuals who identify w/ the behaviors and characteristics that are other than their biological sex

homophobia

an extreme or irrational aversion to homosexuals

heterosexism

an ideology and a set of institutional practices that privilege homosexuals and heterosexuality over other sexual orientations

queer theory

an interdisciplinary approach to sexuality studies that identifies Western society's rigid splitting of gender into male and female roles and questions its appropriateness

What Western country is thought to be the most liberal in its attitudes toward sex? a United States b Sweden c Mexico d Ireland

b Sweden

According to national surveys, most U.S. parents support which type of sex education program in school? a abstinence only b abstinence plus sexual safety c sexual safety without promoting abstinence d no sex education

b abstinence plus sexual safety

Research indicates that most individuals are aware of their sexual orientation _______. a at infancy b in early adolescence c in early adulthood d in late adulthood

b in early adolescence

__________ are at a disadvantage in heterosexist societies. a heterosexuals b men c LGBTQ individuals d women

c LGBTQ individuals - Heterosexist societies favor heterosexual norms and relations and are therefore disadvantageous for LGBTQ individuals.

Anna and Doug are lawyers with the same qualifications but Anna is paid less than Doug. This is evidence of _____ in the United States. a low demand for female lawyers b heterosexism c gender stratification d high supply of female lawyers

c gender stratification - Sexist and stereotypical attitudes towards women can result in tangible impact such as less pay.

A ______ perspective argues that gender is a spectrum. a functionalist b heterosexism c queer theory d symbolic interactionist

c queer theory - Symbolic interactionists are focused on understanding the meanings people ascribe to sexuality. They do not take a position on gender as a spectrum.

Which of following is correct regarding the explanation for transgenderism? a It is strictly biological and associated with chemical imbalances in the brain. b It is a behavior that is learned through socializing with other transgender individuals. c It is genetic and usually skips one generation. d Currently, there is no ONE explanation for transgenderism.

d Currently, there is no ONE explanation for transgenderism.

Sociologists associate sexuality with _______. a person's capacity for sexual feelings a heterosexuality b homosexuality c biological factors d a person's capacity for sexual feelings

d a person's capacity for sexual feelings

Symbolic interactionists argue that we "do gender:" a during half of our activities b only when they apply to our biological sex c only if we are actively following gender roles d in everything we do at all times

d in everything we do at all times

Society expects women to be more emotionally expressive than men because of _____________________. a heterosexism b genetic differences c personality differences d socialization

d socialization - Attitudes regarding such differences occur as a result of what men and women are taught by society.

social construction of sexuality

socially created definitions about the cultural appropriateness of sex-linked behavior which shape how people see and experience sexuality

gender role

society's concept of how men and women should behave

biological determinism

the belief that men and women behave differently due to inherent sex differences related to their biology

double standard

the concept that prohibits premarital sexual intercourse for women but allows it for men

doing gender

the performance of tasks based upon the gender assigned to us by society and, in turn, ourselves

sexism

the prejudiced belief that one sex should be valued over another

transsexuals

transgender individuals who attempt to alter their bodies through medical