© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION Sixth Edition by Karen Huffman PowerPoint  Lecture Notes Presentation Chapter 11 Gender & Human Sexuality Paul J. Wellman Texas A&M University

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Lecture Overview Sex and Gender The Study of Human Sexuality Sexual Behavior Sexual Problems Sexually Transmitted Infections

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sex and Gender Sex refers to the biological aspects of being male or female (and the physical acts of intercourse/masturbation) –Sex differences are physical differences Gender refers to the psychological and sociocultural meanings added to biological sex –Gender differences result from people’s thinking about gender

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Physical Dimensions of Sex Sex DimensionsMaleFemale 1. Chromosomes 2. Gonads 3. Hormones 4. External genitalia 5. Internal accessory organs 6. Secondary sex characteristics 7. Sexual orientation XYXX TestesOvaries AndrogensEstrogens Penis, scrotumLabia, clitoris, vaginal opening Prostate, seminalVagina, uterus, vesicles, fallopian tubes, vas deferenscervix Beard, low voice,Breasts, sperm emissionmenstruation Heterosexual, gay,Heterosexual, bisexuallesbian, bisexual

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Human Reproductive Structures

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Gender Dimensions Gender DimensionsMaleFemale 8. Gender identityPerceives selfPerceives self as maleas female 9. Gender roleMasculineFeminine Gender identity is self-defined Gender role is socially-defined

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Determinants of Gender Identity Gender identity refers to the personal view of oneself as male or as female Environmental factors were assumed to be key determinants of gender identity –Notion was that social-cultural influences shaped gender identity –The case of the castrated identical twin whose gender identity was reassigned following a botched circumcision was taken as important evidence for the role of environmental factors Problem: he later rejected the reassignment and took on a male gender identity (now this case supports a biological view of gender identity)

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Gender Role Development Gender roles are societal expectations for normal and appropriate female and male behavior –Social learning theory argues that gender roles develop as children receive rewards/punishments for gender role behaviors watch and imitate the behaviors of others –Cognitive development theory argues that children develop gender schemas on gender roles

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Gender Differences Cognitive abilities –Females score higher on verbal skills –Males score higher on math, visual-spatial skills Aggression –Males exhibit greater physical aggressiveness –Females are higher on relational aggression E.g. spreading rumors about others, ignoring or excluding others

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Scientific Study of Sexuality Havelock Ellis was among the first physicians to initiate a scientific study of sexuality –His studies revealed that nocturnal emissions were not dangerous –Ellis later came to promote the dissemination of accurate information on human sexuality Alfred Kinsey was another early pioneer of the study of sexuality –Kinsey brought the study of sexuality into the laboratory to study the sexual arousal cycle

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sexual Arousal Cycle

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Male Sexual Activity Men are thought to have greater sexual drive, interest and activity than do women. Why? Evolutionary Perspective: Men developed an interest in sex with multiple partners in order to maximize the likelihood of passing on their genes; women seek a good provider Social Role Approach: Gender differences reflect cultural roles and division of labor –Women prefer resource-rich men, but only when they lived in cultures with little reproductive freedom/educational equality

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sexual Orientation Homosexuality may reflect the impact of biological factors on sexual orientation –Biological factors are supported by twin studies that suggest genetic influence on sexual orientation Gay brothers share a common region of the X chromosome Brain structures (including the hypothalamus) vary between gay and heterosexual men Homosexuality does not reflect –Poor parenting: smothering mother, detached father –Arrested development or an immature personality –Childhood seduction by adults –Modeling of gay behaviors and views from others

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sexual Function Sexual behavior in males and females involves arousal of the peripheral sex organs, the spinal cord, and the brain. –Factors that modulate activity within any of these regions can impair sexual function –Sexual arousal involves activity within the parasympathetic nervous system (allows for blood flow to the sex organs) –Sexual orgasm involves the activation of the sympathetic nervous system

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sexual Dysfunctions Male sexual problems –Impotence (inability to maintain an erection) –Premature ejaculation Male and Female –Dyspareunia (painful intercourse) –Inhibited Desire Female –Orgasmic dysfunction –Vaginismus (painful contraction of the vaginal muscles)

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sex Therapy: Masters and Johnson Therapy focuses on the relationship Therapy integrates physiological and psychosocial factors Therapy focuses on cognitive factors Therapy focuses on specific behavioral techniques

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Drug Actions on Sexuality Alcohol: Reduced testes size and suppressed hormone function Cocaine: Erectile disorder, inhibited orgasm, lowered sperm counts Barbiturates: Reduced desire, erectile disorder, delayed orgasm Marijuana: Reduced testosterone levels, reduced desire Tobacco: Decreases the frequency and duration of erections and of vaginal lubrication

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Sexually Transmitted Diseases

© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Huffman: PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION, 6E Copyright Copyright 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, NY. All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the copyright owner.