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 SexualityAnthropology

Cultural differences &

similarities

Biology

Physiology of arousal & response

Psychology

Formation of sexual behavior

& attitudes

SociologyRelations between

sexuality and demographic

categories (race, religion, SES, etc.)

Requires anInterdisciplinary

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

Mainstre

am

culture

The appraisal of these sources

Sources and Influences

Sexuality and ValuesLegalism

• Moral laws from an external source

Situationa

l Ethic

s

• 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 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, 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 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

• 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

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 SexualityLearning 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