© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Chapter 11: Sexuality and Gender

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Gender and Sex Sex –Sexual anatomy and behavior Gender The perception of being male or female

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Gender and Sex Gender roles The set of expectations, defined by a particular society, that indicate what is appropriate behavior for men and women

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Gender and Sex Sexism –Negative attitudes and behavior toward a person that are based on that person’s gender

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Gender and Sex Sexual harassment –Unwanted sexual attention, the creation of a hostile or abusive environment, or explicit sexual coercion

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Gender Differences Personality factors –Degree of aggressiveness –Self-esteem –Verbal and nonverbal communication styles Cognitive skills –Minimal differences

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sources of Gender Differences Biological and evolutionary factors –Androgen –Estrogen –Buss et al., the evolutionary roots of jealousy

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sources of Gender Differences The social environment –Socialization Process by which an individual learn the rules and norms of appropriate behavior

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sources of Gender Differences –Gender schema Mental framework that organizes and guides a child’s understanding of information relevant to gender –Androgynous individuals Combine the psychological and behavioral characteristics thought typical of both sexes

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Understanding Human Sexual Response: Basic Biology Androgens –Male sex hormones secreted by the testes Estrogen –Female sex hormone Progesterone –Female sex hormone Ovulation –Greatest output of female sex hormone when egg is released from the ovaries

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Understanding Human Sexual Response: Basic Biology Genitals –Sex organs –Some evidence suggests that males have a stronger sex drive that females, although the difference may be the result of society’s discouragement of female sexuality

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Psychological Aspects of Sexual Excitement Erogenous zones –Areas of the body that are particularly sensitive because of the presence of an unusually rich array of nerve receptors Fantasies –Types are relatively similar between men and women

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Psychological Aspects of Sexual Excitement Types of fantasies during intercourse

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The Phases of Sexual Response 1. Excitement phase –An arousing stimulus begins a sequence that prepares the genitals for sexual intercourse 2. Plateau phase –The maximum level of sexual arousal is attained as the penis and clitoris swell with blood, and the body prepares for orgasm 3. Orgasm –Intense, highly pleasurable experience where rhythmic muscular contractions occur in the genitals 4. Resolution stage –Body returns to its normal state, reversing the changes brought about by arousal

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. The Phases of Sexual Response Male and female patterns

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Surveying Sexual Behavior Masturbation –Sexual self- stimulation Heterosexuality –Sexual attraction and behavior directed towards the opposite sex

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Surveying Sexual Behavior Premarital sex –Double standard –Permissiveness with affection

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Surveying Sexual Behavior Marital sex –Frequency changes –Extramarital sex Faithfulness –85% of women –75% of men

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Surveying Sexual Behavior Homosexuals –Persons who are sexually attracted to members of their own sex Bisexuals –Persons who are sexually attracted to people of the same and opposite sex

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Surveying Sexual Behavior Transsexualism –Persons who believe they were born with the body of the other gender Transgenderism –persons who view themselves as a third gender, transvestites, or those who believe the traditional male-female classifications inadequately characterize themselves

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Difficulties: When Sex Goes Wrong Rape –Occurs when one person forces another to submit to sexual activity Date rape –Rape in which the rapist is either a date or a romantic acquaintance

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Difficulties: When Sex Goes Wrong Childhood sexual abuse

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Difficulties: When Sex Goes Wrong Chlamydia Genital herpes Trichomoniasis Gonorrhea Syphilis Genital warts

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Difficulties: When Sex Goes Wrong AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome –Fatal, sexually transmitted infection caused by a virus that destroys the body’s immune system

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Difficulties: When Sex Goes Wrong Risk reduction of AIDS –Know your sexual partner – well –Use condoms –Avoid the exchange of bodily fluids, particularly semen –Stay sober –Consider the benefits of monogamy

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Problems Erectile dysfunction –The inability of a male to achieve or maintain an erection Premature ejaculation –The inability of a male to delay orgasm as long as he wishes Inhibited ejaculation –Inability of a male to ejaculate when he wants to, if at all

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Sexual Problems Anorgasmia –A female’s lack of orgasm Inhibited sexual desire –A sexual dysfunction in which the motivation for sexual activity is restrained or lacking