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Sexuality & Gender (The Psychological Side of Human Sexuality: Gender,…
Sexuality & Gender
The Physical Side of Human Sexuality
Sex Characteristics
Primary sex characteristics
sex organs present at birth and directly involved in human reproduction
Many
AFemaleAB
people:
vulva, vagina, uterus, ovaries
Many
AMaleAB
people:
penis, testes, prostate gland
develop
as the embryo is growing in the womb as a result of the chromosomes contained within the embryonic cells as well as hormonal influences.
Secondary sex characteristics
sex organs and traits that develop at puberty and are indirectly involved in human reproduction
Many
AMaleAB
people:
beard, voice change, ejaculation
General:
acne, pubic hair, enlargement of genitals
Many
AFemaleAB
people:
breast development, menstruation
Sex and Gender
sex
as biological phenomenon
Sex is usually assigned at birth based on the appearance of an infant’s genitals
Vagina →assigned female
Penis →assigned male
Ambiguous →assigned intersex / DSD
New Theory:
Biological sex is more of a spectrum than a binary
So-called “sex chromosomes” are only part of the story
Original Theory:
There are exactly two biological sexes, and those sexes are solely genetically determined
Gender
as a psychological/sociocultural phenomenon
Original Theory:
There are exactly two genders, and gender is solely determined by biological sex at birth
New Theory:
Gender is diverse and multi-faceted!
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
psychological aspects of being a woman, a man, non-binary, etc.
Women:
transwomen, ciswomen, etc.
Men:
transmen, cismen, etc.
Non-binary:
agender, genderqueer, etc.
Components of gender
Gender presentation/expression
he way a person looks, dresses, and/or acts
Presentation/expression may or may not reflect identity
Gender identity
personal knowledge of own gender
The Psychological Side of Human Sexuality: Gender
Gender roles
culture’s expectations for behavior of a person who is perceived as male or female, including attitudes, actions, and personality traits associated with a particular gender within that culture
Gender typing
process by which people learn their culture’s preferences and expectations for male and female behavior
gender identity
sense of be- ing male or female
is influenced by both biological and environmental factors (in the form of parenting and other child-rearing behaviors)
BIOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Some researchers believe that exposure to these hormones during fetal development not only causes the formation of the sexual organs but also predisposes the infant to behavior that is typically associated with one gender or the other.
Another study examined the way in which men and women respond to visual sexual stimuli and found that although men and women may report being equally aroused by erotic pictures, what happens in their brains is quite different (Hamann et al., 2004).
functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
brain-scanning technique
researchers found that the amygdala and hypothalamus areas of the limbic system (areas involved in emotional and sexual responses) were more strongly active in men than in women who viewed the pictures
researchers concluded that the male brain’s enhanced reaction might be a product of natural selection, as early human males who could quickly recognize a sexually receptive female would have had a greater opportunity to mate and pass on their genes to their offspring.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES
influenced by the pressures of society
pressure that can be brought to bear on a person who does not conform to these expectations can be tremendous.
CULTURE AND GENDER
recent research suggests that in the past few decades a change has occurred in cultures that are of different “personalities.”
individualistic cultures
have fairly high standards of living are becoming more nontraditional, especially for women in those cultures.
collectivistic cultures
have less wealth, although even in these cultures, women were more likely to be less traditional than men
Sexual Orientations
Non-monosexual orientations
Bisexual
Pansexual
Asexual orientations
Asexual
Aromantic
Monosexual orientations
Heterosexual/ straight
Homosexual/ gay / lesbian
Understanding Sexual Orientation
Sexual behavior ≠ sexual orientation
Different historical perspectives
Sexual orientation can be fluid
Sexual behavior does not determine sexual orientation
Cultural bias of assuming people are straight until learning otherwise
Coming out is often an on-going and life-long process
Sexual Response
Phase 2: Plateau
Physical changes beginning in first stage continue
Phase 3: Orgasm
Series of rhythmic contractions of muscles of vaginal walls or penis
Shortest phase of sexual response
Phase 1: Excitement
Beginning of sexual arousal
Phase 4: Resolution
Body is returned to a normal state
Types of Sex
Anal sex
Oral sex
Vaginal sex (including PIV sex)
Manual sex
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STI) can affect the sexual organs and the ability to reproduce
May result in pain, disfigurement, and even death
Bacterial STIs
Common examples: chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea
Treatable with antibiotics
Viral STIs
Cannot be cured
Can lead to complications, such as increased risk of cancer
Common examples: genital herpes (herpes simplex virus) and genital warts (human papillomavirus)
HIV/AIDS
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
sexually transmitted viral disorder that causes deterioration of the immune system
Caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Mighteventually result in death due to complicating infections that the body can no longer fight
In US: more than 1.2 million people living with HIV
Nearly 13% are unaware of their infection status
Probably a vast underestimate
Many HIV infections remain undiagnosed or unreported