Gender, Sex and Sexuality AP Psychology Alice F. Short Hilliard Davidson High School

Chapter Preview Defining Sex and Gender Theories of Gender Development Gender Differences Sexual Orientation Sexual Behaviors and Practices Sexual Variations and Disorders Sexuality and Health and Wellness

Defining Sex Properties that determine male or female – 23rd pair of chromosomes: XY or XX pair of genes – gonads = glands (part of endocrine system) ovaries (either side of abdomen) testes (in scrotum, the pouch of skin below the penis) gonadal hormones: estrogens or androgens gametes – the ova and sperm  will be used in reproduction – internal reproductive structures – DOCUMENTARY: It’s a Girl

Defining Sex – external genitalia female: vulva – mons pubis – a fleshy area just above the vagina – labia – lips surrounding the vaginal opening – clitoris – a small sensory organ at the top where the labia meet male – penis – scrotum – secondary sex characteristics (at puberty) – traits that differ between the two sexes but are not part of the reproductive system breasts facial hair – sex may not equal psychological experience (gender)

Defining Gender gender - social and psychological aspects of being female or male – goes beyond biological sex – includes a person’s understanding of the meaning to his or her own life of being male or female Gender Identity – masculinity (instrumentality) – femininity (expressiveness) – androgyny (both) – undifferentiated (neither)

Sexual Development embryonic development of gonads and genitalia – SRY gene  testes  androgens  male physiology – female is “default” condition gender differences in regards to the brain – size of brain parts – function of brain parts – corresponding cognitive function – which part of brain involved in particular behaviors

Sexual Development Disorders of Sexual Development – formerly called intersex conditions / hermaphroditism – congenitally atypical chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical development – questions of relation of DSD to gender development Transgender Experience – Gender Identity Disorder not considered a disorder in France or Great Britain gender dysphoria – distress over one’s born sex sex reassignment surgery

Gender Development Biological Accounts – behavioral difference in newborns and infants Evolutionary Accounts – selection pressures for gendered behaviors competition for mate (usually by male) preferences/choice for quality mate (usually by female) reproductive challenges: quality v. quantity human infants = helpless  adaptive for men to invest in their offspring is it mine? (younger ladies)

Gender Development Social Cognitive Accounts – experience influences sense of gender – socialization (rewards, punishments, modeling) – Albert Bandura – modeling is an especially potent mechanism for transmitting values – gender schema (mental framework) – gender-nonconforming behavior peers = harsher than family after age 6 – DOCUMENTARY: Miss Representation (You can’t be who you can’t see.)

Gender Development Social Role Theory – division of labor natural differences become expected/valued differences gender roles – expectations for how females and males should think, act and feel gender stereotypes – overly general beliefs and expectations about what women and men are like institutional structures patterns of opportunity that perpetuate gender differences – women have resources  less likely to prefer men with resources – TED Talks: Sheryl Sandberg – Summary of Gender and Gender Development Theories on p. 357

Gender Differences Who are more ___________? For each adjective on the next slide, answer as quickly as you can with either “men” or “women”.

Gender Differences Who are more... assertive rational emotional aggressive strong sexually adventurous creative reserved verbal active

Gender Differences Cognitive Differences – math and science? – verbal performance (female advantage) – visuospatial ability (male advantage) – general intelligence (no advantage) Differences due to: – social expectations and support v. evolved roles – gender similarities hypothesis – Janet Shibley Hyde’s proposition that men and women (and boys and girls) are much more similar than they are different

Gender Differences Differences in Aggression overt aggression (physical/verbal harm) – males more than females relational aggression (harm social standing) – females more than males – severely damaging psychologically why the difference? – testosterone? – evolutionary pressures? – socialization? conduct disorder – a pattern of offensive behavior that violates the basic rights of others (3x more like in boys)

Gender Differences Differences in Sexuality (p Inquiry) – females more selective in regards to casual sex “bed” = none, “apartment” = very few, “going out” = 50% – males more often aroused, stronger sex drive, less fidelity “bed” = 75%, “apartment” = 70%, “going out” = 50% – women more likely to engage in bisexuality or be aroused by bisexual stimuli; show changes in their sexual patterns/desires Explanations: – biological - genetic/hormonal differences – evolutionary - sexual selection – social cognitive - learned behavior – social role - culturally constructed

Sexual Orientation sexual orientation - direction of erotic interests - refers to more than just sexual behavior Orientations: (operational definition matters) – heterosexual (90% of population) – homosexual (1500 animal species) – bisexual

Sexual Orientation Orientation is not influenced by… – being reared by a gay parent – parenting style – childhood sexual experimentation

Origins of Sexual Orientation Thinking critically about sexual orientation: – probably not a single cause – within-group variation – research challenges such as recruitment – meaning of cross-sex similarities – consideration of more than just homosexuality

Sexual Orientation Orientation is influenced by – genetics – corpus callosum thickness and hemispheric symmetry – prenatal hormones 2D:4D ratio – women have the same length – men / “butch” lesbian women have a ring finger longer than their pointer (male prenatal androgens) – cognitive factors – social factors (gender non-conforming behavior)

Gay and Lesbian Functioning similarities to heterosexual population – attitudes, psychological adjustment difference from heterosexual population – hobbies, activities, occupations coping with prejudice and discrimination – 1984: 24% knew someone gay; 2006: 70% knew someone gay – Generation Next ( ): 58% homosexuality should be accepted, just under ½ thought same-sex marriage should be legal – coming out

Gay and Lesbian Functioning Relationships – report greater satisfaction than heterosexuals kids  reduce happiness / relationship satisfaction – more likely to end relationships than heterosexuals legal tie of marriage  associated with relationship stability Families – less likely to have children – children of gay couples have not shown differences from other children

Sexual Behavior What constitutes sexual behavior? – infidelity or loss of virginity – activities involved in reproduction – arousal and sexual response – unusually intimate and personal activity as defined by the participants What do you think constitutes sexual behaviors? Does that definition change when you think about cheating?

Sexual Behavior: Kinsey Scale

Sexual Behavior Kinsey’s (1948) research – 12% men, 7% women = bixsexual – are most people promiscuous or faithful? 50% men = unfaithful later research: 85% women, 75% men = faithful does marriage decrease sexual activity? what percentage of the population are virgins? – aged 15-44: men 10%, women 8% – aged 25-44: 3% how often do we have sex (on average)? who masturbates the most? – men (per month): vaginal intercourse: 5 times masturbation: 4.5 times oral sex: 2 times – Women (per month) vaginal intercourse: 5 times masturbation: fewer than 2 times oral sex: 2 times

Sexual Response Pattern Human Sexual Response Pattern (William Masters and Virginia Johnson) 1.excitement – begins the process of erotic responsiveness – several minutes to several hours – engorgement of blood vessels, increased blood flow to genital areas, partial penile erection 2.plateau – continuation and heightening – increased breathing, pulse rate, blood pressure – penile erection / vaginal lubrication complete 3.orgasm – 3-15 seconds – explosive charge of neuromuscular tension – release of neurotransmitter oxytocin 4.resolution/male refractory period – blood vessels return to normal state Helen Singer Kaplan: initials stage of desire should be added – some patients lacked sexual desire

Sexual Cognition Cognitive factors in sexual behavior – self-monitoring and self-regulation – fantasy and imagery – sexual scripts

Influences on Sexuality Influence of Culture – Inis Beag – Mangaia Sex Education – abstinence-only v. comprehensive

Sexual Variations and Disorders fetishes paraphilias pedophilia disorders of sexual desire/response – female dysfunction in arousal – erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation

Sexuality and Health and Wellness Sexually Transmitted Infections – bacterial: gonorrhea, syphilis – viruses: genital herpes, HIV Safe Sex – abstinence 100% effective – risk reduction with condom use Psychological Well-Being – sexual activity is predictor of satisfaction in relationships

Chapter Summary Define the terms “sex” and “gender”. Explain the biological, evolutionary, social- cognitive, and social role accounts of gender development. Summarize the well-documented gender differences. Describe the similarities and differences among gays, lesbians, and heterosexuals. Discuss sexual variations and disorders. Explain how sexuality affects health and wellness.

Chapter Summary Defining Sex and Gender Theories of Gender Development – biological – evolutionary – social-cognitive – social roles Gender Differences

Chapter Summary Sexual Orientation – influences on sexual orientation – gay and lesbian functioning and relationships Sexual Behavior – sexual activity – human sexual response pattern Sexual Disorders Sexuality and Health and Wellness – sexually transmitted infections