822 Glossary of Technical Terms
gender The public (and usually legally recogniz ed) lived role as boy or girl, man or
woman. Biological factors are seen as contri buting in interaction with social and psy-
chological factors to gender development.
gender assignment The initial assignment as male or female, which usually occurs at
birth and is subseque ntly referred to as  the “natal gender.”
gender dysphoria Distress that accompanies the incongruence between one’s experi-
enced and expressed gender and one’s assigned or natal gender.
gender experience The unique and personal ways in which individuals experience their
gender in the context of the gender roles provided by their societies.
gender expression The specific ways in which indivi duals enact gender roles provided
in their societies.
gender identity A category of social identity that refers to an individual’s identification
as male, female or, occasionally, some category other than male or female.
gender reassignment A change of gender that can be  either medical (hormones, sur-
gery) or legal (government reco gnition), or both. In case of  medical interventions, often
referred to as sex reassignment.
geometric hallucination See HALLUCINATION .
grandiosity Believing that one is superi or to others and deserves special treatment; self-
centeredness; feelings of entitlement; co ndescension toward others. Grandiosity is a
facet of the broad personality trait domain ANTAGONISM .
grimace (grimacing) Odd and inappropriate facial expressions unrelated to situation
(as seen in individuals with CATATONIA ).
hallucination A perception-like experience with the clarity and impact of a true percep-
tion but without the external stimulation of  the relevant sensory organ. Hallucinations
should be distinguished from ILLUSIONS , in which an actual external stimulus is