Ch. 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality

Question 1

Sociobiology

Answer 1

sexual behaviors are under biological control (part of the evolutionary perspective)

Question 2

sexual selection

Answer 2

a specific type of selection that creates male-female differences

ex: men’s preference for polygamy & woman’s preference for monogamy

Question 3

sexual strategies theory

Answer 3

there is a difference between long-term mating and short-term mating strategies

ex: long-term mating- best strategy for monogamous women

Question 4

gender neutral evolutionary theory

Answer 4

responds to sexism in sociobiology (evolutionary theory)

Question 5

psychoanalytic theory

Answer 5

sexual behavior (libido) is led by unconscious elements of the person (aka: id (pleasure), ego (reality) & superego (idealism, conscience))

erogenous zones are influenced by stages of psychosexual development

Question 6

What are the stages of psychosexual development?

Answer 6

1) oral (0-1 yr)
2) anal (1-2 yr)
3) phallic (3-6 yr)
4) latency (7-12 yr)
5) genital (13-on)

Question 7

oedipal complex

Answer 7

son lusts mom but fears dad will kill him so he gives up mom and chooses to become more like dad

Question 7

oedipal complex

Answer 7

son lusts mom but fears dad will kill him so he gives up mom and chooses to become more like dad

Question 8

electra complex

Answer 8

daughter lusts dad so she decides to have a son who has a penis like dad

Question 9

classical conditioning

Answer 9

developed by Ivan Pavlov- CC creates a conditioned response through associating unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus

used to explain sexual thoughts and behaviors related to fetishes

Question 10

operant conditioning

Answer 10

sexuality is dictated by reinforcement & punishment

Question 11

social learning theory

Answer 11

sexuality is formed through operant conditioning and imitation from people you admire

Question 12

feminist theory

Answer 12

look at intersectionality and performativity’s influence on sexuality

Question 13

queer theory

Answer 13

questions heteronormative views of sexuality

Question 14

sociological perspective

Answer 14

involves institutions, symbolic interaction theory, and sexual script theory

Question 15

gender schema theory

Answer 15

people have a cognitive structure (schema) that associates certain behaviors, personalities, and appearances with being male/female.

Question 16

castration anxiety

Answer 16

fear of having penis cut off

Question 17

social exchange theory

Answer 17

people will choose actions that maximize rewards and minimize costs

(based on operant conditioning)

Question 18

schema

Answer 18

a general knowledge framework that a person has about a particular topic

Question 19

sexual field

Answer 19

a site populated with people with erotic dispositions that they project on the space and each other, creating a system of sexual stratification.

Question 20

What are some institutions that influence sexuality?

Answer 20

• religion
• economy
• family
• medicine
• law

Question 21

medicalization of sexuality

Answer 21

The process by which certain sexual behaviors or conditions are defined in terms of health and illness, and problematic experiences or practices are given medical treatment.