1. Psychology in Action (8e) by Karen Huffman
PowerPoint  Lecture Notes Presentation
Chapter 11:
Gender and Human Sexuality
Karen Huffman, Palomar College
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

2. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Lecture Overview
Sex and Gender
The Study of Human Sexuality
Sexual Behavior
Sexual Problems
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3. Sex and Gender—Important/Confusing Terms
Sex: biological maleness or femaleness including chromosomal sex; also, sexual behaviors of intercourse/masturbation
Gender: psychological and sociocultural meanings added to biological sex
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

4. Sex and Gender—Important/Confusing Terms (Cont.)
Gender Identity: self-identification as either a man or a woman
Gender Role: societal expectations for normal and appropriate male and female behavior
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

5. Sex and Gender—Important/Confusing Terms (Cont.)
Sexual Orientation: primary erotic attraction toward members of same sex (homosexual, gay, or lesbian), both sexes (bisexual), or other sex (heterosexual)
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

6. Sex and Gender— Important/Confusing Terms (Cont.)
Transsexual: gender identity does not match gonads, genitals, or internal accessory organs
Transvestite: individuals who cross-dress for emotional and/or sexual gratification; from Latin trans, meaning “to change,” and vestire, meaning “clothing”
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

7. Sex and Gender— Important/Confusing Terms (Cont.)
Androgyny: combining characteristics typically male (assertive, athletic) with those considered typically female (yielding, nurturing); from Greek andro, meaning “male,” and gyn, meaning “female”
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

8. Dimensions of Sex and Gender
Sex Dimensions Male Female
1. Chromosomes
2. Gonads
3. Hormones
4. External genitals
5. Internal accessory organs
6. Secondary sex
characteristics
7. Sexual orientation
XY XX
Testes Ovaries
Androgens Estrogens
Penis, scrotum Labia, clitoris,
vaginal opening
Prostate, seminal Vagina, uterus,
vesicles, fallopian tubes,
vas deferens cervix
Beard, low voice, Breasts,
sperm emission menstruation
Heterosexual, gay, Heterosexual,
bisexual lesbian, bisexual
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

9. Male and Female Internal and External Sex Organs
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10. Dimensions of Sex and Gender (Continued)
Gender Dimensions Male Female
8. Gender identity* Perceives self Perceives self
as male as female
9. Gender role ** Masculine Feminine
*Gender identity is self-defined
**Gender role is socially-defined
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

11. Gender Role Development
Social-learning theory--suggests gender roles develop as children:
receive rewards/punishments for gender role behaviors and attitudes.
watch and imitate the behaviors and attitudes of others.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

12. Gender Role Development
Cognitive-developmental theory--suggests children form gender schemas (mental images) of correct behaviors for boys versus girls.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

13. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Sex Differences
Physical anatomy (height, weight, body build, reproductive organs)
Functional and structural brain differences:
Hypothalamus
Corpus callosum
Cerebral hemispheres
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

14. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

15. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Gender Differences
Cognitive abilities
Women score higher on verbal skills.
Men score higher on math and visuospatial skills.
Aggression
Men exhibit greater physical aggressiveness.
Women supposedly higher on relational aggression, but no clear differences.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

16. The Study of Human Sexuality
Havelock Ellis--among the first physicians to scientifically study human sexuality. He:
found that nocturnal emissions were not dangerous.
emphasized reliable and accurate sex information.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

17. The Study of Human Sexuality
Alfred Kinsey--among the first to use surveys and interviews to study sexual practices and beliefs.
Masters and Johnson--among the first to use laboratory experimentation and observation to study the sexual response cycle.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

18. The Study of Human Sexuality—Gender and Cultural Diversity
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19. Sexual Behavior: Sexual Arousal and Response
Masters and Johnson’s Sexual Response Cycle
Excitement (increasing levels of arousal and engorgement)
Plateau (leveling off of high arousal)
Orgasm (pleasurable release of tension)
Resolution (return to nonaroused state)
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

20. Sexual Behavior— Sexual Response Cycle
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21. Sexual Behavior—Gender and Cultural Diversity (Two Theories)
Why are men commonly believed to have greater sexual drive, interest, and activity than women? Two theories:
1. Evolutionary Perspective: Provides adaptive value. Men with multiple partners maximize their genes’ chances for survival, and a woman’s genes’ chances for survival increase with a good protector and provider.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

22. Sexual Behavior—Gender and Cultural Diversity (Two Theories Cont.)
2. Social Role Approach: Sex differences reflect cultural roles and division of labor. Men are protectors and providers, women are child bearers and homemakers.
Note: Social role perspective fits better in cultures where women have less reproductive freedom and educational equality.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

23. Sexual Behavior—Sexual Orientation
Myths of Homosexuality:
Seduction theory: gays and lesbians seduced in childhood by adults of same sex.
“By default” theory: gays and lesbians unable to attract partners of opposite sex.
Poor parenting: gay men = domineering mothers, weak fathers’ lesbian women = weak or absent mothers .
Modeling theory: children imitate gay or lesbian parents.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

24. Sexual Behavior—Sexual Orientation
Current Research on Homosexuality:
Genetics: twin studies suggest genetic influence on sexual orientation.
Prenatal hormones: affect fetal brain development and sexual orientation.
Note: Ultimate causes of sexual orientation unknown, but genetics and biology are believed to play dominant roles.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

25. Sexual Problems: Biological Factors in Sexual Dysfunctions
Sexual behavior = arousal of peripheral sex organs, spinal cord, and brain. Factors that modulate activity within these areas may impair sexual function.
Sexual arousal = activation within parasympathetic nervous system, which allows blood flow to sex organs.
Sexual orgasm = activation of the sympathetic nervous system.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

26. Sexual Problems: Psychological Factors in Sexual Dysfunctions
Negative gender role training (men aggressive and independent, women passive and dependent)
Double standard (male sexuality encouraged and female’s discouraged)
Unrealistic sexual scripts (socially dictated “appropriate” behaviors limit sexual relations)
Performance anxiety (fear of not meeting partner’s sex expectations)
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

27. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Sexual Dysfunctions
Male Sexual Problems
Erectile dysfunction (impotence--inability to maintain an erection firm enough for intercourse)
Premature ejaculation (rapid ejaculation beyond the man’s control)
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

28. ©John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2007 Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)
Sexual Dysfunctions
Female Sexual Problems
Orgasmic dysfunction (inability or difficulty in reaching orgasm)
Vaginismus (painful contraction of the vaginal muscles)
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

29. Sexual Dysfunctions (Continued)
Both Male and Female Sexual Problems
Dyspareunia (painful intercourse)
Inhibited sexual desire (apathetic or disinterested in sex)
Sexual aversion (avoids sex due to overwhelming fear or anxiety)
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

30. Sexual Problems—Sex Therapy
Masters and Johnson’s sex therapy program founded on four principles:
Relationship focus
Integration of physiological and psychosocial factors
Emphasis on cognitive factors
Practice with specific behavioral techniques
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

31. Sexual Problems: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
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32. Sexual Problems--AIDS
HIV Positive: being infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome): HIV destroys immune system’s ability to fight disease
Note: Although AIDS is transmitted only through sexual contact or exposure to infected bodily fluids, many people have irrational fears of contagion.
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)

33. Psychology in Action (8e) by Karen Huffman
PowerPoint  Lecture Notes Presentation
End of Chapter 11:
Gender and Human Sexuality
Karen Huffman, Palomar College
©John Wiley & Sons, Inc Huffman: Psychology in Action (8e)