Which term describes an individual’s internal experience of their gender?

The term that describes an individual’s internal experience of their gender is gender identity. Gender identity refers to how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves in relation to gender. This can align with the sex they were assigned at birth or differ from it.

Understanding gender identity is crucial as it encompasses a person’s personal sense of their own gender, which may be male, female, a blend of both, neither, or something else entirely. This internal experience is fundamental to how individuals relate to themselves and navigate their place within society.

Gender role refers to the societal expectations and behaviors deemed appropriate for individuals based on their gender, but it does not capture the internal personal sense of identity. Gender stereotype involves oversimplified and widely held beliefs about the characteristics and behaviors of males and females, and gender theory is a broader academic framework that studies the societal implications and constructions of gender but does not specifically pinpoint individual internal experiences.