Gender and Sexuality
This course is part of Psychology in Action.
This introductory course provides a comprehensive exploration of sex, gender, and sexuality concepts and their development throughout the human lifespan. Students will learn to differentiate between sex (assigned at birth) and gender, while examining how both develop across different life stages. The curriculum covers sex characteristics through developmental changes during prenatal development, puberty, midlife, and old age. Gender and gender identity are explored using well-established psychological theories, with attention to how gender functions as a social construct that varies significantly across cultures worldwide. The course addresses the influence of gender stereotypes and gender roles on individual development and social interactions. Students will study the continuum of sexual identity and understand how it differs from sexual attraction and behavior. The development of sexual behaviors across the lifespan is examined, including discussions of risky behaviors and potential consequences. The final sections explore romantic attraction and love, comparing various relationship structures and statuses. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to apply these concepts to everyday life situations, from social and workplace interactions to parenting and personal development, making the content both academically rigorous and practically relevant.
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What you'll learn
Differentiate between biological sex and gender as distinct but related concepts
Trace biological development across the lifespan related to sex assigned at birth
Apply prominent psychological theories to understand gender development
Analyze how gender constructs vary across different cultures and societies
Explain the development of diverse sexual identities and orientations
Describe the range of sexual behaviors across different developmental stages
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, Exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Batch access
Shareable certificate
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There are 7 modules in this course
This comprehensive course explores the psychological dimensions of sex, gender, and sexuality through a scientific and developmental lens. The curriculum begins by establishing foundational distinctions between sex and gender before examining biological development related to sex across the human lifespan. Students learn about critical periods including prenatal development, puberty, and climacteric (midlife hormonal changes), studying how these biological processes influence identity and behavior. The course then explores prominent theories of gender development, including biological and evolutionary perspectives, while also examining how gender constructs vary significantly across different cultures worldwide. This cross-cultural approach helps students understand gender as both a biological and social phenomenon. Later sections address sexual identity development, exploring the continuum of sexual orientation and identity formation processes. The curriculum also covers variability in sexual behaviors throughout the lifespan and examines potential consequences of different sexual behaviors. The final component explores the psychology of love and romance, including the formation, maintenance, and diversity of romantic relationships. Throughout, students are encouraged to apply scientific findings to real-world contexts, making connections between psychological theory and everyday experiences in social interactions, work environments, parenting, and personal development.
Sex and Gender: What's the Difference?
Module 1
Sex Development and Implications
Module 2
Gender Development
Module 3
Gender Variability Across Cultures
Module 4
Sexual Identity
Module 5
Sexual Behavior and Consequences
Module 6
Love and Romance
Module 7
Fee Structure
Individual course purchase is not available - to enroll in this course with a certificate, you need to purchase the complete Professional Certificate Course. For enrollment and detailed fee structure, visit the following: Psychology in Action
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructor
Product Manager at American Psychological Association
Rita manages the development and improvement of courses about mental health and social psychology at the American Psychological Association. She has been working in higher education for 11 years, and earned her M.A. in Applied Social Psychology
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Frequently asked questions
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