What refers to culturally and socially constructed beliefs and attitudes about traits of males and females?

The correct answer is gender, as it encompasses the culturally and socially constructed beliefs and attitudes regarding the traits associated with being male or female. Gender goes beyond the biological differences that define sex; it involves the roles, behaviors, expectations, and identity shaped by societal norms.

In understanding gender, it's important to consider how various societies interpret and impose meanings on masculine and feminine traits. This can include expectations surrounding behavior, clothing, interests, and professional roles, which can significantly influence individual experiences and interactions within a society.

Sex, while often used interchangeably with gender in casual conversation, refers strictly to the biological and physiological characteristics that define humans as male or female. Stereotype indicates an oversimplified and generalized belief about a particular group, which can pertain to gender but is not necessarily about the broader socially constructed system as gender is. Identity is a more individual concept, relating to how one perceives oneself, which can include aspects of gender but does not capture the collective societal framework that gender does.

Overall, the concept of gender is pivotal in fields like psychology and counseling as it informs the understanding of individual behaviors and social dynamics.