Download some theoretical perspectives on human sexuality

Biological Functionalism
The
Double
Standard
“Sperm are cheap,
eggs are expensive.”
Evolutionary Psychology on
Male-Female Differences





Men are more promiscuous and less sexually
reserved than women
Women are inherently more interested in a
stable relationship than men are
Women are naturally attracted to high-status
men with resources
Men are naturally attracted to youth and
beauty
These preferences and desires were
evolutionarily selected long ago and are not
likely to change
II. Biological Functionalism
Counter examples 1) Even some aspects of sexual anatomy
seem hard to explain in terms of
biological functionalism.
2) Human sexual behavior is subject to
enormous cultural variation
3) The animal kingdom is subject to wide
variation in sexual behavior. Abstract
principles like “sperm are cheap, eggs
are expensive” are subject to debate.
Biological Functionalism
 What
is the
biological
function of
the
placement of
the clitoris?
Biological Functionalism

Differences between men and women in
mate selection criteria are very small
when you compare them to differences
across cultures.
III. Motivational Theories
Hull-Spence
Drive Theory:
• need
• motive
• drive
sex
drive
=
?
hunger
thirst
IV. Learning Theories
A. Operant Conditioning
• Skinner’s S->R
concept
IV. Learning Theories
How does SEX fit into an Operant
Conditioning Model?
 Stimulus->Response->Reward
 Stimulus->Sexual Response>Reward
 Stimulus->Response->Sex
IV. Learning Theories
B. Classical Conditioning
• Pavlovian
conditioning
Ivan Pavlov
Classical Conditioning
Conditioned
Stimulus
Unconditioned
Stimulus
IV. Learning Theories
C. Social Learning
• Imitation
• Identification
V. Cognitive Theories
Human Beings are Information
Processing Systems
 Computer is a powerful
metaphor for human
information processing
 Sexual dysfunction has
been analyzed as a
cybernetic system

VI. Sociological Approaches
Some Important Sociological
Concepts:
• Norms
• Roles (gender roles)
• Scripts
VI. Sociological Approaches
• Scripts specify
• Roles
• Props
• Settings
• Behavioral Sequence
VI. Sociological Approaches
Jemail & Geer (1977) - sex script
1) Kissing
2) Hand stimulation of the breasts
3) Hand stimulation of the genitals
4) Mouth stimulation of the genitals
5) Intercourse
6) Orgasm
First Date Script
55% Male arrives at female’s residence
33% Female greets male at the door
43% Conversation
36% Introduction to
parents/roommates-leave
16% Discuss where to go
33% Small talk
First Date Script (continued)
43% Go to movie
16% Male buys refreshments
23% Go to get something to eat/drink talk
65% Male takes female home
20% Male walks female to door
27% Complimentary summary of
evening
First Date Script
53% Indicate future interest/disinterest
71% Kiss
34% Say “Good Night” - “Thanks”
25% Male returns home
VIII. Anthropological Approaches
Inis Beag
•
•
•
•
•
Mangaia
Inis Beag................ ........Mangaia
Cultural Diversity
EROTOPHOBIC - EROTOPHILIC
CONTINUUM
CELIBATE
REPRESSIVE
CHASTE
RESTRICTIVE
SEX EROTOPHOBIC
ACTIVE
EXPRESSIVE
PERMISSIVE
SUPPORTIVE
SEX +
EROTOPHILIC
condemnation
celebration
PROCREATIONAL
RELATIONAL
RECREATIONAL