Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Gender identity refers to a person's deeply held sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It is an individual's internal and personal experience of their gender.
Gender dysphoria refers to distress or discomfort experienced by individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. It involves significant emotional and psychological distress due to a conflict between one's gender identity and physical characteristics.
Cisgender: Cisgender individuals have a gender identity that aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, if someone was identified as male at birth and identifies as male, they would be considered cisgender.
Transgender individuals have a gender identity that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone who was identified as male at birth but identifies as female would be considered transgender.