According to the terminology discussed in the chapter, a person’s psychological sense of being either male or female is called that person’s:
A gender identity.
B sexual orientation.
C sex.
D gender role.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: A. Gender identity
Explanation (300 words):
A person’s psychological sense of being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere along the gender spectrum is referred to as their gender identity. This term describes how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves, which can be consistent or different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Gender identity is a deeply held, internal experience. For example, someone may be biologically male but identify as female; in that case, their gender identity is female. Alternatively, someone may not identify strictly as male or female and might use terms such as non-binary or genderqueer. Importantly, gender identity is not determined by external appearance or societal expectations—it is a personal and internal sense of self.
Let’s differentiate this from other terms in the question:
- Sex (Option C) refers to biological characteristics such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs. For instance, people assigned male at birth typically have XY chromosomes, while those assigned female at birth typically have XX chromosomes.
- Sexual orientation (Option B) refers to an individual’s pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others—such as being heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or asexual. It is about who you are attracted to, not who you are.
- Gender role (Option D) refers to the societal expectations and behaviors considered appropriate for individuals based on their perceived or assigned sex. For example, traditional gender roles might expect women to be nurturing and men to be assertive.
In conclusion, the term that best fits the definition of a person’s psychological sense of being male or female is gender identity. Understanding this term is essential in respecting and supporting individuals’ identities in a diverse society.