I.SEX AND GENDER
- What is “Maleness” and “Femaleness”? -The question of what is male and what is female can Be confusing. Researchers have come to refer to “sex” as the biological meaning and “gender”as the psychological and socio-cultural meaning of maleness and femaleness.
B. Gender Role Development: Two Major Theories –There are currently two major theories of
gender role development: social learning and gender schema theories. Social learning theory
suggests girls learn how to be feminine and boys learn how to be masculine in two major ways:
by receiving rewards or punishments for specific behaviors and by watching and imitating role
models. With gender schema theory, it is believed that one’s own cognitions or thought
processes acquired through observation, imitation, rewards, and punishments are responsible for
gender role development.
C. Gender Identity Formation
Case Study/Personal Story: The Tragic Tale of “John/Joan”– One of the most famous studies of gender identity formation is introduced and highlights the early years of identical twin boys one of whom had a his entire penis accidentally removed during circumcision, efforts to reassign his gender, and the tragedy that resulted.
D. Sex and Gender Differences – Physical anatomy is the most obvious difference between males
and females. There are also functional and structural sex differences in the brains. Researchers
focus on two important findings, cognitive abilities and aggression, as psychological
differences. Androgyny is explored as a way to minimize differences between males and
females.
Research Highlight: Video Games, Gender, and Spatial Skills– Recent research suggests that college women may improve their spatial cognition with action video games and potentially can boost their participation in fields such as mathematics and engineering.
Critical Thinking/Active Learning:Gender Differences and Critical Thinking -
Students are given an opportunity to respond to four critical thinking statements to explore
gender and sexuality issues.
II.THE STUDY OF HUMAN SEXUALITY – The area of sex received little scientific attention before the twentieth century. Havelock Ellis was among the first to study human sexuality despite the heavy repression and secrecy of nineteenth-century Victorian times. Alfred Kinsey and his
colleagues were the first to conduct large scale, systematic surveys and interviews of the sexual
practices and preferences of Americans during the 1940s and 1950s. The research team of
Masters and Johnson pioneered the use of actual laboratory measurement and observation of
human physiological response during sexual arousal.
III.SEXUAL BEHAVIOR – This section will explore the sexual response of males and females as well as sexual orientation.
- Sexual Arousal and Response – Masters and Johnson’s four-stage sexual response cycle- the excitement phase, plateau phase, orgasm phase, and resolution phase help us understand differences as well as similarities in male and female behavior. (Process Diagram 11.1).
Gender and Cultural Diversity: Are There Evolutionary Advantages to Female
Nonmonogamy? – Two theories explaining the differences between women and men are
proposed. The evolutionary perspective emphasizes genetic and biological forces and the
social role approach, proposes that gender differences arise from different divisions of labor. While the evolutionary perspective suggests only males have a biological advantage to multiple sex partners, in at least 18 societies around the world it is female non-monogamy that offers survival value to women and children.
- Sexual Orientation: Contrasting Theories and Myths – Myths surrounding the causes of
homosexuality are debunked followed by several studies pointing toward the role of biology and
genetics which is supported by identical twin and prenatal hormone levels.
IV.SEXUAL PROBLEMS – This section explores what happens when sexual functioning does not go smoothly or stops and the role biology, psychology, and social forces are discussed. Several major diseases that can be spread through sexual behavior are explored.
- Sexual Dysfunction: The Biopsychosocial Model – Biological factors contributing to sexual
dysfunctions may include erectile and orgasmic dysfunctions. Performance anxiety, the double standard, and sexual scripts demonstrate the role of learning in sexual dysfunctions. These dysfunctions are sometimes treated by sex therapists. Although defining these problems can be difficult, people have been helped by sex therapy. Masters and Johnson emphasize the couple's
relationship, an integration of physiological and psychosocial factors, cognitions, and specific
behavioral techniques. Professional sex therapists offer important guidelines for everyone: Sex
education should be early and positive, goal or performance orientation should be avoided, and
communication should be open.
Research Highlight: Is Cybersex Harmful? – The role of the internet and chat
rooms and their influences on sexual behavior are explored.
B. Sexually Transmitted Infections - Although STIs such as genital warts and chlamydia
infections have reached epidemic proportions, AIDS has received the largest share of public
attention. In spite of evidence supporting AIDS being transmitted only through sexual contact or
exposure to infected blood, many people have irrational fears of contagion.
Psychology at Work: Protecting Yourself and Others Against STIs – Five “safer sex” recommendations involving education and behavior change are proposed to help reduce the chances of HIV/AIDS and other STIs.
Critical Thinking/Active Learning: Rape Myths and Rape Prevention - Students are asked to explore their own "rape myths" and then offered several both stranger and acquaintance rape.