Final answer:
True, the terms 'sex' and 'gender' are not interchangeable. Sex refers to biological differences, while gender is a social construct that can differ greatly across cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
To an anthropologist, the statement that the terms "sex" and "gender" are NOT interchangeable is true. Sex refers to the biological and physiological differences between males and females, such as reproductive systems, chromosomes, and secondary sex characteristics. On the other hand, gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women.
Thus, while sex is a biological concept, gender is a social construct that varies widely across different cultures and societies. One might be assigned a sex at birth based on physical characteristics, but their gender identity could be different and is influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural, social, and personal experiences.
Intersex and transgender individuals are prime examples that challenge the traditional binary understanding of sex and gender. Intersex refers to people who may have biological traits that don't fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies, while transgender people have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. This differentiation between sex and gender has become increasingly recognized in various disciplines, including law and psychology, leading to a greater understanding and respect for the diversity of human experience.