Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Psy 410; Human Sexuality
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Chapter 1
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Thinking Critically About Human Sexuality Perspectives on Human Sexuality
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Sex can refer to: Anatomic sex of male or female Anatomic structures Behaviors Feelings and desires Human sexuality refers to: Our experiences and our expressions of ourselves as sexual beings, which are affected by our culture
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Studying human sexuality: Interdisciplinary Anthropology: cultural differences & similarities Biology: physiology of arousal & response Psychology: formation of sexual behavior & attitudes Sociology: relations between sexuality and demographic categories (race, religion, SES, etc)
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Sexuality and Values Values influence sexual attitudes & behavior Values: the qualities in life that are deemed important or unimportant, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Sexuality and Values Sources of values for decision making: Parents Peers Religious doctrines Ethnicity Mainstream culture The appraisal of these sources
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Sexuality and Values Value systems: Legalism – moral laws from an external source Situational Ethics – decision-making is context- dependent and rules are flexible Ethical Relativism – no one correct moral view, but rather diversity in beliefs is considered natural and based upon culture
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Sexuality and Values Value systems (cont’d): Hedonism - decisions based on pursuing pleasure Asceticism – self-denial of desires Utilitarianism – decisions based on bringing about the most good and avoiding harm Rationalism – use of intellect and reasoning
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Critical Thinking Being skeptical Examine definitions Examine assumptions or premises of arguments Be cautious about drawing conclusions
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon What Is Human Sexuality? Critical Thinking Consider alternative interpretations of research Consider the kinds of evidence upon which conclusions are based Do not oversimplify Do not overgeneralize
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective Allows consideration of trends in sexual behaviors and attitudes Historical analyses show little evidence of universal sexual behaviors and customs.
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective Prehistoric Sexuality Female idolatry Phallic worship penis viewed as symbol of power Phallic symbols Incest taboo The prohibition against intercourse and reproduction among close blood relatives Present in some form in all human societies
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective The Ancient Hebrews Emphasized procreative function of sex Same-sex sexual relations was 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 Minimum frequency of relations within marriage legislated Women considered property of men
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective 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
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective The Ancient Romans Elite practiced sexual excesses, such as orgies, bestiality, and sadism Sexual terms still in use have Roman cultural roots: Fellatio Cunnilingus Fornication The family was seen as the source of integrity of the Roman empire and male-male sexual behavior was met with disapproval. Women considered husbands’ property
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective The Early Christians If celibacy was not possible, sex was restricted to marriage and was for procreation and not for pleasure. Masturbation, prostitution, same-sex sexual relations, oral-genital contact, and anal intercourse were strictly forbidden and viewed as sinful. Divorce was outlawed.
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective 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 Toaism (Chins) – sex is a form of worship that leads to harmony with nature, as well as immortality
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective The Middle Ages Conflicting views of women: Sinful, as Eve Saintly, as Mary – this view elevated women’s status The Protestant Reformation Priests allowed to marry and rear children. Sex not just for procreation
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective The Victorian Era Women’s place was in the home and fields Sexuality was repressed Not discussed in public Women thought to have no sexual feelings Men thought to be drained of healthy & vitality by sex Despite these prohibitions, prostitution was quite common.
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective The Foundations of the Scientific Study of Sexuality Began during the Victorian Era Sexologists gained credence: Havelock Ellis Richard von Krafft-Ebing Sigmund Freud Alfred Kinsey
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective 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
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective Gay activism Arose during the sexual revolution AIDS education, prevention, and treatment Sex research Sexually explicit questionnaires Masters & Johnson laboratory research
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Historical Perspective Recent trends: More teens sexually active Teens are becoming sexually active at younger ages Female sexuality is accepted Sex is discussed openly Pornography commonplace
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Biological Perspective Studies role of genes, hormones, the nervous system, and other biological factors in sexuality Mechanisms of arousal and reproduction
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Evolutionary Perspective Evolution: the development of a species to its present state Natural selection The evolutionary process by which adaptive traits enable members of a species to survive to reproductive age and transmit these traits to future generations Evolutionary psychologists suggest that there is a genetic basis to social behavior, including human sexual behavior.
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Evolutionary Perspective Erotic plasticity Altruism Sex partners
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality Cross-Species Perspective Places human behavior in a broader context by comparing it to non-human sexual behavior Nonhuman analogues of sexual behavior include male-male and female-female sexual behavior, oral- genital contact, oral-oral behavior, foreplay, and the use of a variety of coital positions. The sexual behaviors of animals “higher up” on the evolutionary ladder are controlled less by instinct compared to those “lower” on the ladder.
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality The Sociological Perspective Examine effect of culture on sexual behavior and attitudes Behaviors that vary include polygamy and frequency of intercourse Attitudes that vary include those on masturbation Kissing is almost universal Social institutions affect behaviors and attitudes
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality Psychological Perspectives Psychoanalytic Perspective (Sigmund Freud) Psychoanalysis focuses on biological, instinctual drives (sexual and aggressive) that society attempts to control; the unconscious mind; and the conflicting personality structures of the id, ego, superego. The ego protects itself from anxiety due to inner conflict by using defense mechanisms, e.g., repression. Practices dream analysis
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality Psychological Perspectives Psychoanalytic Perspective (Freud) Erogenous zones: Parts of the body, including but not limited to the sex organs, that are responsive to sexual stimulation. Children progress through stages of psychosexual development, each focused on different erogenous zones and conflicts. Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital Fixation, or arrested development, is possible at each stage.
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality Psychological Perspectives Learning Theories Behaviorists Focus on the measurement of observable behaviors, the role of the environment, and the effects of rewards and punishment on behavior Social-learning theorists Focus on the importance of reinforcement and punishment but also cognitive influences (appraisal and expectations) and observational learning (modeling)
Copyright 2008 Allyn & Bacon Perspectives on Human Sexuality Psychological Perspectives Cognitive views Observational learning – learning by modeling, or observing others’ behaviors and the consequences Social-cognitive theory – learning by reinforcement and observation