ch.11 sexuality and gender Flashcards
What is sex?
Its a biological label for sexual anatomy
What kind of characteristic is sex?
Its a physiological characteristic (being male or female)
What is gender?
Its a psychological label for sexual anatomy
What are gender roles?
They are a set of expectations defined by a particular society, that indicate what is appropriate for men and women
Gender roles may lead to what?
May lead to stereotyping
What is stereotyping?
They are judgements about individual members of a group on the basis of their membership to that group
Stereotypes about gender roles can result in
Sexism
What is sexism?
Negative attitudes and behavior towards a person that are based on that persons gender
Why do such stereotypes matter?
- They help in keeping inequalities alive
- Professional consequences
What are professional consequences when it comes to stereotypes?
- Female vs male jobs pay and status difference
- Limited job advancement (glass ceiling effect)
What is the glass ceiling effect?
Its the existence of an invisible barrier that prevents women from being promoted beyond a certain level being less advantageous when compared to men
How do stereotypes put pressure on people?
People may perform in accordance with the stereotypes and not in accordance with their abilities
What does Ambivalent Sexism include?
It includes both biases for and against women
What does Ambivalent Sexism support?
It supports traditional gender roles
What is Benevolent Sexism
Positive attitudes of protection, idealization, and affection towards women in traditional roles where subtly undermines and limits women
What is Hostile Sexism?
Negative attitudes of domination, degradation, and hostility obviously undermines and limits women
What is Sexual Harassment?
Unwanted sexual attention, the creation of a hostile or abusive environment, or explicit coercion to engage in unwanted sexual activity
How is harassment related to mens desires?
Harassment is related to mens desire to demonstrate power over women
How does harassment appear in benevolent forms?
-Positive discrimination
(women are like flowers they need to be taken care of)
(you look very beautiful today)
(she is a woman you should speak more respectful towards her)
Whats the strongest difference between males and females?
Personality
How is personality a difference between males and females?
- Aggressive behavior (strong difference)
- Self-esteem (mild difference)
- Evaluation of self
- Speech content
- Nonverbal behavior
- Reading facial expressions
How is aggressive behavior a difference between males and females?
- Male: display aggression more
- Female: feel more guilt and anxiety about their display of aggression
How is self-esteem a difference between males and females?
- Male: largely stems from their assessment of unique characteristics and abilities
- Female: largely stems from their perception of interdependence and connection with others
How is evaluation of self a difference between males and females?
-Women: evaluate themselves more harshly
How is speech content a difference between males and females?
- Female: speaking in a less assertive manner
- speech patterns lead others to view them as uncertain
- raise the pitch of their voice at the end of the sentences
How is nonverbal behavior a difference between males and females?
- Females: look at their communication partners significantly more while listening not as much while speaking
- Male: look at their communication partners for around the same duration while listening and speaking
How is reading facial expressions a difference between males and females?
women>men
There’s no significant difference between males and females in which area?
Cognitive abilities
Biological and evolutionary difference between males and females?
Biological
-Pregnant women accidentally taking androgens
-During the period of higher estrogen (oestrogen)
Evolutionary
-Infidelity
-Division of labor
What happens when women accidentally take androgens?
Girl babies more likely to play with male stereotypical toys
What happens during the period of higher estrogen?
Better verbal skill and muscular coordination in women
What is infidelity when it comes to the evolutional approach of the difference between males and females?
Infidelity: sexual vs emotional different focus in men/women
What is the division of labor when it comes to the evolutional approach of the difference between males and females?
Division of labor: men had more advantage in being more aggressive, competitive, and risk taking
What is the biosocial explanation for gender differences?
- Men tasks: rely more on strength and speed
- Women tasks: rely more on caring for children, healthy pregnancy, pro-social supportive behavior
What are the social factors when it comes to gender differences?
- Socialization
- Gender schema
What is socialization?
The process by which individuals learn the rules and norms of appropriate behavior in a given society/culture, learning different sets of rules for boys and girls
What is the social learning theory?
Its rewarding “appropriate” behavior for each gender which results in social learning
Socialization produces
Gender schema
What is gender schema?
Its a mental framework that organizes and guides a childs of information relevant to gender
What are the results of gender schema?
- Limits the range of experiences the children are exposed to
- Consolidates gender differences
- Strengthens stereotypes
Sexual behavior is affected by?
Hormones
What are genitals?
Male and female sex organs
Sex hormones gives rise to what?
Gives rise to secondary sex characteristics (growth of body hair, change in voice, change in breast size, redistribution of muscle and fat tissue)
How are sex hormones secreted in males and females?
- Males: androgens
- Females: oestrogens
What is ovulation in females?
A result of cyclical patterns the point at which an egg is released from the ovaries
What are physiological factors that prime humans for sex?
- Objects
- Sight
- Smell
- Sound
What does much of our sexual arousal have to do with?
It doesnt have to do with our genitals but actually our brains
What does our brain have to do with sexual arousal?
Through learning from life
What are erogenous zones?
Areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to touch because of the presence on an unusually rich array of nerve receptors
What does sexual arousal depend on?
- Touch in a sexual manner
- Being mentally receptive to sexual activity
How can you define an erotic stimulus?
- Affected by learnt experiences
- Affected by culture/societal influence
What are the phases of sexual response?
-Excitement
-Plateau
-Orgasm
-Resolution
males experience an additional “refractory period”
What is the excitement stage?
Preparation of genitals for sexual intercourse
How is the excitement stage different for both genders?
- Male: blood flow to penis- erection
- Female: blood flow to clitoris- swelling- lubrication of vagina
How long does the excitement stage last?
Few mins- around 1 hour
What is the plateau stage?
Preparation for orgasm max level of arousal attained
How is the plateau stage different for both genders?
- Male: max blood flow to penis- full erection
- Female: max blood flow to clitoris- full swelling- breasts and vagina expand
What is an orgasm?
The peak of sexual excitement
How is an orgasm different for both genders?
- Male: ejaculation of semen (fluid containing sperm cells and various other elements)
- Female: not for all individuals, ejaculation of liquid from vagina
What is the resolution stage?
The interval after orgasm- the body returns to its unaroused state, reversing the changes brought about by arousal
What is the refractory period?
Its the inability to develop another erection (only in males)
What is female circumcision?
Partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons
Sex-related behavior is influenced by?
- Expectations
- Attitudes
- Beliefs
- Medical-biological knowledge
- Social-cultural norms
A sexual behavior is considered abnormal if
- It creates distress for yourself
- Boosts anxiety
- Makes you feel intense guilt
- Harms other people
How can sexual behaviors be abnormal?
If they have a negative effect on your personal well-being and if they harm other people
What is heterosexuality?
Sexual attraction and behavior directed to the other sex
What is extramarital sex?
Sexual activity between a married person and someone who is not her spouse
Who are homosexuals?
Individuals who are sexually attracted to members of their own sex
Who are bisexuals?
Individuals who are sexually attracted to both people of the same sex and the other sex
What are the causes of sexual orientation?
- Genetic causes
- Hormones
- Differences in brain structures
- Child rearing, early human experiences, family dynamic
- Learning theory
What are the genetic causes of sexual orientation?
- Twins- if one is homosexual higher chances for the other to be homosexual as well
- Area on X chromosome- loci for genes- may be linked with homosexuality
What are hormone causes of sexual orientation?
Exposure to DES a chemical that fights against miscarriage, during pregnancy
What are difference in brain structure causes of sexual orientation?
- Anterior hypothalamus- different in structure in heterosexual and homosexual males
- Anterior commissure- a region that connects the left and right hemispheres- gay males have larger in comparison to heterosexual males
What is the learning theory causes of sexual orientation?
Sexual orientation is learnt through rewards and punishments
What is a transgender?
A person whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to the typical ones assigned for their sex
What are sexual difficulties and issues?
- Rape
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Sexual problems
What is rape?
The act by which one person forces another person to submit sexual activity
What is date rape?
Rapist is either a date or a romantic acquaintance
What are the motivations behind rape?
- Means of demonstrating power
- Anger
- Desire
- Token resistance to sex
What is token resistance to sex?
Its the belief that when women say no it actually means yes
What is the result of rape?
Extreme fear/ panic/ disbelief/ physical pain/trauma
What are sexually transmitted infections?
A group of diseases acquired through sexual contact
Examples of sexually transmitted infections
- Chlamydia
- Genital herpes
- Trichomoniasis
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Genital warts
- AIDS
What is chlamydia?
The most widespread STI
How does chlamydia affect males and females?
- Female: usually no symptoms initially- later on liquid discharge and itching
- Male: burning sensation during urination- random discharge from penis
What happen if chlamydia is untreated?
Pelvic inflammation, damage to urethra, even sterility
How is it curable?
With antibiotics
What are genital herpes?
A viral condition
What happens in the active stages of genital herpes?
Sores and small blisters around genitals- severe pain
Is genital herpes curable?
No curable- causes psychological distress- knowing that you have it without being able to cure it completely
What is trichomoniasis?
Infection of the vagina or penis by a parasite
How does trichomoniasis affect males and females?
- Males: often without symptoms
- Females: mild symptoms of itching, discharge
What happens in the later stages of trichomoniasis?
Pain during urination, burning sensation, unpleasant odor
Is trichomoniasis curable?
Yes it is with antibiotics
What is gonorrhea?
Often has no symptoms can cause burning sensation during urination and discharge of liquid from penis or vagina
Is gonorrhea curable?
Mostly yes with antibiotics
What is syphilis?
Can affect internal organs, the brain, and can be fatal
How does syphilis appear in stages?
Primary stage: involves a sore point at the region of sexual contact
Secondary stage: can involve a rash, itching
Is syphilis curable?
Yes with antibiotics only if early diagnosis
What are genital warts caused by?
They are caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) which is very common
Are genital warts curable?
Yes and can also get vaccinated
What are AIDS?
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
What is AIDS caused by?
Its caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) where it attacks the immune system
Is AIDS curable?
It is not
What are sexual problems?
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Delayed ejaculation disorder
- Anorgasmia
- Inhibited sexual desire
What is erectile dysfunction?
Males inability to achieve or maintain an erection
What causes erectile dysfunction?
- Alcohol
- Performance anxiety
- Drugs
What is premature ejaculation?
Males inability to delay orgasm
What is delayed ejaculation disorder?
Males inability to ejaculate when he wants given that he will ejaculate after all
What is anorgasmia?
Females lack of, delay in, or reduction in the intensity of an orgasm
Two types of anorgasmia dysfunction
- Primary orgasmic dysfunction
- Secondary orgasmic dysfunction
What is primary orgasmic dysfunction when it comes to anorgasmia?
Its where the woman has never experienced an orgasm
What is a secondary orgasmic dysfunction when it comes to anorgasmia?
Where the woman has had an orgasm at some point in her life but can achieve it whether not at all or only in certain conditions
What is inhibited sexual desire?
A sexual dysfunction in which the motivation for sexual activity is restrained or entirely lacking
