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 Sexuality 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.) Requires an Interdisciplinary 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 Values 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 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 Thinkers Are skepticalExamine definitionsExamine assumptions or premises of argumentsAre cautious about drawing conclusionsConsider alternative interpretations of researchConsider the kinds of evidence upon which conclusions are basedDo not oversimplifyDo 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 credenc e

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 PerceptionLearningMotivationEmotionPersonality

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 Sexuality Learning Theories BehavioristsFocus on the effects of rewards and punishments on behavior CognitiveEmphasizes cognitive activity Problem solving, decision making, etc. Social Cognitive Learn by observation and reinforcement

Perspective on Human Sexuality Feminist Theory Challenges such traditional views as Men as breadwinners, women as homemakers Men as political policymakers Men 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