What is Human Sexuality?
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Transcript of What is Human Sexuality?
WHAT IS HUMAN SEXUALITY?Chapter 1
Learning Objectives• The Science of Human Sexuality• Sexuality and Values• Thinking Critically about Human Sexuality• Perspectives on Human Sexuality
The Science of Human Sexuality
Sexuality• Our experiences
and our expressions of ourselves as sexual beings, which are affected by our culture
Sex• Anatomic sex of
male or female• Anatomic structures• Behaviors • Feelings and desires • Sex vs. Gender
The Science of Human SexualityAnthropology
Cultural differences &
similarities
BiologyPhysiology of
arousal & response
PsychologyFormation of
sexual behavior & attitudes
SociologyRelations between
sexuality and demographic
categories (race, religion, SES, etc.)
Requires anInterdisciplinary
approach
Sexuality and Values
Values are the qualities in life that are deemed important or unimportant, right or
wrong, desirable or undesirable
Values influence sexual attitudes & behavior
Pluralistic society embraces wide range of sexual attitudes and values
Sexuality and Values
Parents
Peers
Religious doctrines
Ethnicity
Mainstream
culture
The appraisal of
these sources
Sources and Influences
Sexuality and ValuesLegalism
• Moral laws from an external source
Situational Ethics
• Decision making is context-dependent and rules are flexible
Ethical Relativism
• No one correct moral view• Diversity in beliefs considered natural and based upon culture
Hedonism• Decisions based on pursuing pleasure
Asceticism• Self-denial of desires
Utilitarianism
• No one correct moral view• Diversity in beliefs considered natural and based upon culture
Rationalism• Use of intellect and reasoning
Thinking Critically
Critical Thinking • Scrutinizing definitions of
terms and evaluating the premises of arguments and their logic
Thinking Critically
Critical Thinkers• Maintain open minds• Suspend beliefs until they
have obtained and evaluated the evidence
Critical ThinkersAre skeptical
Examine definitions
Examine assumptions or premises of arguments
Are cautious about drawing conclusions
Consider alternative interpretations of research
Consider the kinds of evidence upon which conclusions are based
Do not oversimplify
Do not overgeneralize
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
Places sexual behavior and attitudes in context
Allows consideration of trends in sexual behaviors and attitudes
Historical analyses show little evidence of universal sexual behaviors and customs
Religion has played a major role
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Ancient Hebrews
Emphasized procreative function of sex
Same-sex sexual relations were strongly condemned.
Adultery was not allowed, at least for women.
Polygamy, the practice of having two or more spouses (wives) at the same time, was permitted. However, most Hebrews were monogamous.
Sex strengthened marriage and solidified family
Women considered property of men
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Ancient Greeks
Valued family life
Admired male body of muscle and health
Gods viewed as sexually adventurous
Viewed men and women as bisexual
Male-male sex was considered normal as long as it did not interfere with the family
Pederasty, or love of boys, by older men was condoned as long as the boy was not prepubescent
Prostitution was very popular Courtesans: prostitutes, usually the mistress of a noble or wealthy man
Concubines: a secondary wife, usually of lower status
Women held low social status
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Ancient Greeks
Valued family life
Admired male body of muscle and health
Gods viewed as sexually adventurous
Viewed men and women as bisexual
Male-male sex was considered normal as long as it did not interfere with the family
Pederasty, or love of boys, by older men was condoned as long as the boy was not prepubescent
Prostitution was very popular Courtesans: prostitutes, usually the mistress of a noble or wealthy man
Concubines: a secondary wife, usually of lower status
Women held low social status
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Ancient Romans
Elite practiced sexual excesses, such as orgies, bestiality, and sadism
The family was seen as the source of integrity of the Roman empire and male-male sexual behavior was met with disapproval
Women considered husband’s property
Sexual terms still in use have Roman cultural roots:
Fellatio
Cunnilingus
Fornication
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Early Christians
Temptations of flesh distractions from spiritual devotion
Sex was restricted to marriage and was for procreation and not for pleasure
Lust made sexual expression inherently evil
Masturbation, prostitution, same-sex sexual relations, oral-genital contact, and anal intercourse were strictly forbidden and viewed as sinful
Divorce was outlawed
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Early Christians
Temptations of flesh distractions from spiritual devotion
Sex was restricted to marriage and was for procreation and not for pleasure
Lust made sexual expression inherently evil
Masturbation, prostitution, same-sex sexual relations, oral-genital contact, and anal intercourse were strictly forbidden and viewed as sinful
Divorce was outlawed
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
Islam The Islamic tradition values marriage and sexual fulfillment in marriage only
Only men may have more than one spouse
Social interactions between men and women restricted
India Hinduism views sex as a religious duty
Sexual fulfillment can lead to reincarnation at a higher level
Kama Sutra
Far East Taoism (China) – sex is a form of worship that leads to harmony with nature, as well as immortality
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Middle Ages
Conflicting views of women; sinful (as Eve) or saintly (as Mary)
The Protestant Reformation
Priests allowed to marry and rear children
Sex not just for procreation
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
Early America
Western views
Religion stressed ideals of family
Sex outside of marriage was considered immoral
A woman’s place was in the home and fields
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Victorian Era
Sexuality was repressed
No public discussion
Woman thought to have no sexual feelings
Sex drained men of their vitality
Despite prohibitions, prostitution was quite common
Sexologists gained credence
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
The Sexual Revolution
During the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s sexual attitudes and behaviors became more liberal
Forces that brought about the revolution include
The Vietnam War
The fear of the nuclear bomb
The birth-control pill
The mass media
Discussion and portrayals of sexuality accepted & commonplace
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
Gay Activism
Arose during the sexual revolution
AIDS education, prevention, and treatment
Sex Research
Sexually explicit questionnaires
Masters & Johnson laboratory research
Historical Perspective on Human Sexuality
Recent Trends
More teens sexually active
Teens are becoming sexually active at younger ages
Female sexuality is accepted
Sex is discussed openly
Pornography commonplace
Biological Perspective on Human Sexuality
Studies role of genes, hormones, the nervous
system, and other biological factors in
sexuality
Mechanisms of arousal and reproduction• Overcoming sexual and
fertility problems
Evolutionary Perspective on Human Sexuality
Evolutionary psychologists suggest that there is a genetic basis to social behavior, including human sexual behavior
Evolutionary Perspective on Human Sexuality
• The development of a species to its present state
Evolution
• The evolutionary process by which adaptive traits enable members of a species to survive to reproductive age and transmit these traits to future generations
Natural selection
Cross Species Perspective on Human Sexuality
The study of other animal species places human behavior in a broader context.
Sociological Perspective on Human Sexuality
Examine effect of cultural institutions and beliefs on
sexual behavior and attitudes
Societies differ widely in sexual attitudes, practices, customs• Marriage• Sex partners• Masturbation• Kissing
Psychological Perspective on Human Sexuality
Psychological influences that affect our sexual behavior and our experience of being male or female
Perception Learning Motivation Emotion Personality
Psychological Perspective on Human Sexuality
Psychoanalytic Perspective (Sigmund Freud)
Biological sex drives controlled by society
Conscious and unconscious mind
The conflicting personality structures of the id, ego, superego
Dream analysis to reveal unconscious ideas and impulses
Psychological Perspective on Human Sexuality
Psychoanalytic Perspective (Freud)
Erogenous zones
Parts of the body, including but not limited to the sex organs, that are responsive to sexual stimulation.
Psychosexual development
Children progress through stages focused on different erogenous zones and conflicts.
Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital
Fixation, or arrested development, is possible at each stage.
Psychological Perspective on Human SexualityLearning Theories
Behaviorists
Focus on the effects of rewards and punishments on behavior
Cognitive Emphasizes cognitive activity
Problem solving, decision making, etc.
Social Cognitive
Learn by observation and reinforcement
Perspective on Human SexualityFeminist Theory
Challenges such traditional views as
Men as breadwinners, women as homemakersMen as political policymakersMen as sexual “aggressors” and women as sexual “gatekeepers”
Men as objective, rational beings and women as emotional, irrational creatures
Asserts men have no right to control a woman’s body
Perspectives on Human Sexuality
Queer Theory
Theory of the psychology and sociology of gender roles and sexual orientation
Challenges heterosexist assumptions
Asserts sexuality is more varied than those in power want to believe
Perspectives on Human Sexuality
Multiple Perspectives
-Necessary given the complexity and range of human sexual behavior-Each has something to offer-Adds to the richness of our understanding