1gender
in psychology, the socially influenced characteristics by which people define boy, girl, man, and woman
2sex
in psychology, the biologically influenced characteristics by which people define male and female
3aggression
any physical or verbal behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally
4relational aggression
an act of aggression intended to harm a person's relationship or social standing
5rolesex
a set of expectations (norms) about a social position, defining how those in the position ought to behave
6gender role
a set of expected behaviors, attitudes, and traits for males or for females
7gender identity
our sense of being male, female, or some combination of the two
8social learning theory
the theory that we learn social behavior by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished
9adolescence
the transition period from childhood to adulthood, extending from puberty to independence
10identity
our sense of self; according to Erikson, the adolescent's task is to solidify a sense of self by testing and integrating various roles
11social identity
the "we" aspect of our self-concept; the part of our answer to "Who am I?" that comes from our group memberships
12emerging 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
13X 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
14Y chromosome
the sex chromosome typically found only in males. When paired with an X chromosome from the mother, it produces a male child
15testosterone
the most important male sex hormone. 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
16AIDS(acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
a life-threatening, sexually transmitted infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS depletes the immune system, leaving the person vulnerable to infections
17cross-sectional study
research that compares people of different ages at the same point in time
18longitudinal study
research that follows and retests the same people over time
19neurocognitive disorders (NCDs)
acquired (not lifelong) disorders marked by cognitive deficits; often related to Alzheimer's disease, brain injury or disease, or substance abuse. In older adults, neurocognitive disorders were formerly called dementia
20Alzheimer's disease
a neurocognitive disorder marked by neural plaques, often with onset after age 80, and entailing a progressive decline in memory and other cognitive abilities
21social clock
the culturally preferred timing of social events such as marriage, parenthood, and retirement