AP Psychology Flashcards: Gender And Sexual Orientation

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Gender And Sexual Orientation, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Psychology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Define 'pansexual.'

Answer: Attraction to individuals regardless of their gender identity. Gender is irrelevant to their attraction patterns.

Flashcard 2: Explain 'sexual fluidity.'

Answer: Variability in sexual attraction that can change over time or context. Attraction patterns can change throughout one's lifetime.

Flashcard 3: What does 'gender affirmation surgery' refer to?

Answer: Surgical procedures that alter one's body to align with their gender identity. Medical procedures to align body with gender identity.

Flashcard 4: What is a 'two-spirit' person?

Answer: A term used by some Indigenous cultures to describe a person with both male and female spirits. A culturally specific identity with spiritual significance.

Flashcard 5: What is the gender binary?

Answer: The classification of gender into two distinct, opposite forms: male and female. A limiting cultural construct that excludes many identities.

Flashcard 6: What is gender socialization?

Answer: The process by which individuals learn gender roles through societal influences. Gender roles are learned, not innate biological traits.

Flashcard 7: Explain 'gender fluidity.'

Answer: A gender identity that may change over time or depend on the situation. Gender can shift across time, situations, or contexts.

Flashcard 8: What is gender dysphoria?

Answer: Distress due to a mismatch between gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Psychological distress from identity-body mismatch, not a mental illness.

Flashcard 9: What is 'gender variance'?

Answer: Behaviors or gender expressions that do not conform to societal gender norms. Natural diversity in how people express their gender.

Flashcard 10: Explain the concept of 'allyship.'

Answer: Supportive actions by non-LGBTQ+ individuals towards LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Using privilege to advocate for marginalized communities.

Flashcard 11: Define 'gender policing.'

Answer: Enforcing traditional gender expressions and roles through social pressure. Social control mechanisms that restrict gender expression.

Flashcard 12: What is heteronormativity?

Answer: The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm or default sexual orientation. A system that privileges heterosexual relationships as normal.

Flashcard 13: What does cisgender mean?

Answer: When an individual's gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth. Gender identity aligns with biological sex assigned at birth.

Flashcard 14: Define 'homosexual.'

Answer: Attraction to individuals of the same sex. Sexual and romantic attraction to one's own gender.

Flashcard 15: What does 'intersex' refer to?

Answer: Individuals born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female. A natural biological variation, not a disorder.

Flashcard 16: What is asexuality?

Answer: Lack of sexual attraction to others. Distinguished from celibacy, which is a choice.

Flashcard 17: Define 'homosexual.'

Answer: Attraction to individuals of the same sex. Sexual and romantic attraction to one's own gender.

Flashcard 18: What does 'heterosexual' mean?

Answer: Attraction to individuals of the opposite sex. Sexual and romantic attraction to a different gender.

Flashcard 19: What does 'queer' mean as an identity?

Answer: An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender. A reclaimed term embracing diverse non-heteronormative identities.

Flashcard 20: Define 'non-binary.'

Answer: A gender identity that does not fit within the traditional binary of male and female. Exists outside the traditional male-female categories.

Flashcard 21: What does 'LGBTQ+' stand for?

Answer: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others. An inclusive acronym representing diverse sexual and gender identities.

Flashcard 22: What is heteronormativity?

Answer: The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm or default sexual orientation. A system that privileges heterosexual relationships as normal.

Flashcard 23: What does 'LGBTQ+' stand for?

Answer: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and others. An inclusive acronym representing diverse sexual and gender identities.

Flashcard 24: Define 'homophobia.'

Answer: Dislike or prejudice against homosexual people. Irrational fear or hatred of homosexual people.

Flashcard 25: What is 'intersectionality'?

Answer: A framework for understanding how various forms of inequality intersect. Multiple identities create unique experiences of discrimination.

Flashcard 26: Define 'gender role.'

Answer: Societal norms dictating behaviors considered appropriate based on one's perceived gender. Cultural expectations about how different genders should behave.

Flashcard 27: What is the purpose of the 'Pride' movement?

Answer: To promote equality, acceptance, and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals. Advocates for civil rights and social acceptance.

Flashcard 28: What does 'genderqueer' mean?

Answer: A gender identity that is outside the traditional male and female categories. Rejects the traditional binary gender system.

Flashcard 29: What is the Kinsey Scale?

Answer: A scale measuring sexual orientation from 0 (heterosexual) to 6 (homosexual). Introduced the concept of sexual orientation as a spectrum.

Flashcard 30: What does the term 'bisexual' mean?

Answer: Attraction to both males and females. Can experience attraction to people of any gender.

Flashcard 31: Define 'pansexual.'

Answer: Attraction to individuals regardless of their gender identity. Gender is irrelevant to their attraction patterns.

Flashcard 32: Explain the concept of 'allyship.'

Answer: Supportive actions by non-LGBTQ+ individuals towards LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Using privilege to advocate for marginalized communities.

Flashcard 33: What is gender identity?

Answer: A personal sense of one's own gender, which may or may not align with their sex at birth. An internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither.

Flashcard 34: What is the difference between sex and gender?

Answer: Sex is biological; gender is a social and personal identity. Sex refers to biology; gender to social identity and roles.

Flashcard 35: Explain 'gender fluidity.'

Answer: A gender identity that may change over time or depend on the situation. Gender can shift across time, situations, or contexts.

Flashcard 36: What is the purpose of the 'Pride' movement?

Answer: To promote equality, acceptance, and visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals. Advocates for civil rights and social acceptance.

Flashcard 37: Define 'gender role.'

Answer: Societal norms dictating behaviors considered appropriate based on one's perceived gender. Cultural expectations about how different genders should behave.

Flashcard 38: Define gender expression.

Answer: The external display of one's gender, through behavior, clothing, and personal appearance. How one presents their gender to others through outward choices.

Flashcard 39: What does cisgender mean?

Answer: When an individual's gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth. Gender identity aligns with biological sex assigned at birth.

Flashcard 40: What is internalized homophobia?

Answer: When LGBTQ+ individuals internalize societal homophobic attitudes. Negative societal messages become part of self-concept.

Flashcard 41: What is gender dysphoria?

Answer: Distress due to a mismatch between gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Psychological distress from identity-body mismatch, not a mental illness.

Flashcard 42: Define transgender.

Answer: When an individual's gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. Gender identity doesn't match biological sex assigned at birth.

Flashcard 43: What does 'heterosexual' mean?

Answer: Attraction to individuals of the opposite sex. Sexual and romantic attraction to a different gender.

Flashcard 44: What does 'gender affirmation surgery' refer to?

Answer: Surgical procedures that alter one's body to align with their gender identity. Medical procedures to align body with gender identity.

Flashcard 45: Define transgender.

Answer: When an individual's gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. Gender identity doesn't match biological sex assigned at birth.

Flashcard 46: What is 'gender affirmation'?

Answer: Supporting someone's gender identity through actions like using correct pronouns. Validates and supports someone's authentic gender identity.

Flashcard 47: What is sexual orientation?

Answer: Enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to men, women, or both sexes. A stable pattern of attraction, not a choice or behavior.

Flashcard 48: What does the term 'bisexual' mean?

Answer: Attraction to both males and females. Can experience attraction to people of any gender.

Flashcard 49: Define 'gender policing.'

Answer: Enforcing traditional gender expressions and roles through social pressure. Social control mechanisms that restrict gender expression.

Flashcard 50: Explain 'sexual fluidity.'

Answer: Variability in sexual attraction that can change over time or context. Attraction patterns can change throughout one's lifetime.

Flashcard 51: What is sexual orientation?

Answer: Enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to men, women, or both sexes. A stable pattern of attraction, not a choice or behavior.

Flashcard 52: What does 'queer' mean as an identity?

Answer: An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender. A reclaimed term embracing diverse non-heteronormative identities.

Flashcard 53: Define 'homophobia.'

Answer: Dislike or prejudice against homosexual people. Irrational fear or hatred of homosexual people.

Flashcard 54: What is 'gender variance'?

Answer: Behaviors or gender expressions that do not conform to societal gender norms. Natural diversity in how people express their gender.

Flashcard 55: Explain 'coming out.'

Answer: The process of revealing one's sexual orientation or gender identity to others. A personal decision about sharing one's authentic identity.

Flashcard 56: What is 'gender affirmation'?

Answer: Supporting someone's gender identity through actions like using correct pronouns. Validates and supports someone's authentic gender identity.

Flashcard 57: Define 'non-binary.'

Answer: A gender identity that does not fit within the traditional binary of male and female. Exists outside the traditional male-female categories.

Flashcard 58: What is the difference between sex and gender?

Answer: Sex is biological; gender is a social and personal identity. Sex refers to biology; gender to social identity and roles.

Flashcard 59: What is gender socialization?

Answer: The process by which individuals learn gender roles through societal influences. Gender roles are learned, not innate biological traits.

Flashcard 60: What is the Kinsey Scale?

Answer: A scale measuring sexual orientation from 0 (heterosexual) to 6 (homosexual). Introduced the concept of sexual orientation as a spectrum.

Flashcard 61: What does 'genderqueer' mean?

Answer: A gender identity that is outside the traditional male and female categories. Rejects the traditional binary gender system.

Flashcard 62: What is 'intersectionality'?

Answer: A framework for understanding how various forms of inequality intersect. Multiple identities create unique experiences of discrimination.

Flashcard 63: What is internalized homophobia?

Answer: When LGBTQ+ individuals internalize societal homophobic attitudes. Negative societal messages become part of self-concept.

Flashcard 64: Define gender expression.

Answer: The external display of one's gender, through behavior, clothing, and personal appearance. How one presents their gender to others through outward choices.

Flashcard 65: What is a 'two-spirit' person?

Answer: A term used by some Indigenous cultures to describe a person with both male and female spirits. A culturally specific identity with spiritual significance.

Flashcard 66: Explain 'coming out.'

Answer: The process of revealing one's sexual orientation or gender identity to others. A personal decision about sharing one's authentic identity.

Flashcard 67: What is the gender binary?

Answer: The classification of gender into two distinct, opposite forms: male and female. A limiting cultural construct that excludes many identities.

Flashcard 68: What is asexuality?

Answer: Lack of sexual attraction to others. Distinguished from celibacy, which is a choice.

Flashcard 69: What is gender identity?

Answer: A personal sense of one's own gender, which may or may not align with their sex at birth. An internal sense of being male, female, both, or neither.

Flashcard 70: What does 'intersex' refer to?

Answer: Individuals born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female. A natural biological variation, not a disorder.