Sex
In psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male and female.
Gender
In psychology, the socially influenced characteristics by which people define boy, girl, man, and woman
Aggression
Any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally.
Relational aggression
An act of aggression (physical or verbal) intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing.
Role
A set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave.
Gender role
A set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females
Gender identity
Our sense of being male, female or some combination of the two.
Social learning theory
The theory that we learn social behavior by observing and limiting and by being rewarded or punished.
Gender typing
The acquisition of a traditional masculine or feminine role.
Androgyny
Displaying both traditional masculine and feminine psychological characteristics.
Transgender
An umbrella term describing people whose gender identity or expression differs from that associated with their birth-designated sex.
Adolescence
The transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence.
Puberty
The period of sexual maturation, during which a person becomes capable of reproducing.
Identity
Our sense of self, according to Erikson, the adolescent's task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles.
Social identity
The "we" aspect of our self-concept' the part of our answer to "Who am I" that comes from our group memberships.
Intamacy
In Erikson's theory/ the ability to form close, loving relationships; a primary developmental task in young adulthood.
Emerging adulthood
A period from about age 18 to the mid-twenties, when many in Western cultures are no longer adolescents but have not yet achieved full independence as adults.
X chromosome
The sex chromosome found in both males and females. Females typically have two X chromosomes; males typically have one. An X chromosome from each parent produces a female child.
Y chromosome
The sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child.
Testosterone
The most important male sex horome. Both males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the growth of the male sex organs during the fetal period, and the development of the male sex characteristics during puberty.
Primary sex characteristics
The body structures (ovaries, testes, and external genitalia) that make sexual reproduction possible.
Secondary sex characteristics
Nonreproductive sexual traits, such as female breasts and hips, male voice quality, an body hair.
Intersex
A condition present at birth due to unusual combinations of male and female chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy; possessing biological sexual characteristics of both sexes.
Sexual orientation
Our enduring sexual attraction, usually toward members of our own sex (homosexual orientation) or the other sex (heterosexual orientation); variations include attraction toward both sexes (bisexual orientation).
Menopause
The time of natural cessation of menstration; also refers to the biological changes a woman experiences as her ability to reproduce declines.
Cross-sectional study
Research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time.
Longitudinal study
Research that follows and retests the same people over time.
Neurocognitive disorders
Acquired (not lifelong) disorders marked by cognitive deficits; often related to Alzherimer's disease, brain injury or disease, or substance abuse. In older adults, neurocognitive disorders were formerly called dementia.
Alzheimer's disease
A neurocognitive disorders marked by neural plaques, often with onset after age 80, and entailing a progressive decline in memory and other cognitive abilities.
Social clock
The culturally preferring timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement.