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Introduction to the study of Human Sexuality

Introduction to the study of Human Sexuality. Introduction Theoretical Perspectives Research. Evolutionary Perspectives. Sociobiology : A pplication of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behavior of animals, including humans. Evolutionary Perspectives.

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Introduction to the study of Human Sexuality

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  1. Introduction to the study of Human Sexuality Introduction Theoretical Perspectives Research

  2. Evolutionary Perspectives • Sociobiology:Application of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behavior of animals, including humans.

  3. Evolutionary Perspectives • Evolutionoccurs via Natural Selection, a process by which animals that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to: • Survive • Reproduce • Pass genes to the next generation

  4. Evolutionary Perspectives • Parental Investment: Behavior and resources invested by parents to achieve the survival and reproductive success of their genetic offspring.

  5. Evolutionary Perspectives • Sexual selection: • Competition between members of one gender (usually male). • Preferential choice by members of one gender (usually female).

  6. Evolutionary Perspectives • Focuses on the psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by natural selection. • Assumes that every characteristic that we observe must have some adaptive significance. • Some human traits, however, may simply be design flaws.

  7. Evolutionary Perspectives • Dr. David Buss

  8. Psychodynamic Theory • Freud’s psychoanalytic theory gives full treatment to human sexuality: • He saw libido(Life Drive) as one of the two major forces in human life. The other is Thanatos (Death Drive). • An Erogenous Zoneis a part of the skin or mucous membrane that is extremely sensitive to stimulation.

  9. Psychodynamic Theory • Id: The basic part of personality which is present at birth - operates on the pleasure principle. • Ego:Operates on the reality principle and tries to keep the id in line. • Superego: The conscience and operates on idealism.

  10. Psychodynamic Theory Oral:Anal: Phallic: (Birth to 12-18 months) (12-18 m to 3 years)(3 to 5-6 years) Latency:Genital: (5-6 years to adolescence)(Adolescence to adulthood)

  11. Psychodynamic Theory • According to Freud, people do not always mature from one stage to the next as they should. • Most adults have at least traces of earlier stages remaining in their personalities.

  12. Psychodynamic Theory • Freud assumed the female is biologically inferior because she lacks a penis. • Feminists object to the notion that women are anatomically inferior, and argue that psychoanalytic theory may cause harm to women.

  13. Psychodynamic Theory Evaluation: • May provide a view of disturbances in the human personality rather than the human personality. • The recognition that humans pass through stages in their psychological development was a great contribution.

  14. Learning Theory • Much of human sexual behavior is biologically controlled, but much of it is also learned.

  15. Learning Theory • Classical Conditioning:Takes place when a conditioned stimulus is paired with an original unconditioned stimulus. • Operant Conditioning: Means a person is more likely to repeat a behavior if it is rewarded (reinforcement).

  16. Learning Theory • Behavior Modification:Involves a set of techniques used to change behavior. • Social learning: Based on operant conditioning, imitation and identification.

  17. Learning Theory • Social Exchange Theory:Uses the concept of reinforcement to explain stability and change in relationships between people. • Successful experiences with an activity over time create a sense of competence or self-efficacy.

  18. Cognitive Theory • Cognitive psychologists believe it is very important to study the way people perceive and think.

  19. Cognitive Theory • Gender schemas: Set of attributes that we associate with males and females. • Schemas predispose us to process information on the basis of gender.

  20. Cognitive Theory • Gender Stereotype Consistent

  21. Cognitive Theory • Gender Stereotype Inconsistent

  22. Social Theories • Societal influence occurs on several levels including: • Macro Level: Society as a whole. • SubculturalLevel:One’s social class or ethnic group may have an impact on one’s sexuality.

  23. Social Theories • At the macro level our sexuality is influenced by powerful social institutions, including: • Religion • Economy • Family • Medicine • Law

  24. Social Theories Social Interaction Theory: • Human nature and the social order are products of symbolic communication among people. • Develop a definition of the situation. • Role-taking: When an individual imagines how he or she looks from the other person’s viewpoint. • Other-Directed Individuals: Primarily concerned with meeting other’s standards.

  25. Social Theories Sexual Scripts: • Suggest that sexual behavior is as scripted as a play in a theater. • Tell us an etiquette of sexual behavior. • Tell us the meaning we should attach to a particular sexual event.

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