Download 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 Sexuality
Anthropology
Cultural
differences &
similarities
Sociology
Relations between
sexuality and
demographic
categories (race,
religion, SES, etc.)
Requires an
Interdisciplinary
approach
Psychology
Formation of
sexual behavior &
attitudes
Biology
Physiology of
arousal &
response
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
Ethnicity
Sources and Influences
Sexuality and Values
Legalism
Situational
Ethics
Ethical
Relativism
• Moral laws from an external source
• Decision making is context-dependent and rules are flexible
• No one correct moral view
• Diversity in beliefs considered natural and based upon culture
• Decisions based on pursuing pleasure
Hedonism
• Self-denial of desires
Asceticism
Utilitarianism
• No one correct moral view
• Diversity in beliefs considered natural and based upon culture
• Use of intellect and reasoning
Rationalism
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 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, oralgenital 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, oralgenital 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
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
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 Sexuality
Learning
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 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