Chapter 11 Adulthood

Question 1

What are the tasks of adulthood?

Answer 1

• Continues exploration of sexual identity
• Identify sexual likes and dislikes
• Develop effective communication (Trial and error process)
• Be responsible about sex (STD/STI testing)
• Intimacy.

Question 2

What percentage of people will get married?

Answer 2

95%

Question 3

what have we discovered about long distance relationships?

Answer 3

• No difference in relationship of sexual satisfaction.

- No differences in rates of infidelity.

Question 4

What is singleism?

Answer 4

• Stigmatizing and stereotyping of people who are not in a romantic relationship.
• Singles are perceived as possessing more negative characteristics than their partnered peers.

Question 5

What is the wedding ring effect?

Answer 5

-When someone is taken they are rated more attractive.

Question 6

Are there differences in characteristics in singles?

Answer 6

NO, No differences is personality, attractiveness, self-esteem, and social ability.

Question 7

What affects does the fear of being single have?

Answer 7

• The fear of being single is a predictor of settling for less in an existing relationship.
• This fear also predicts romantic interest in lower quality partners.

Question 8

What is cohabitation? and what characterizes cohabitation

Answer 8

The stage before marriage.
Common-law
more frequent sex
does not cause divorce

Question 9

Why do people Bother getting married?

Answer 9

• Commitment

- sex 2/3 times per week

Question 10

What circumstances increases sexual satisfaction?

Answer 10

1. Sexual satisfaction > sexual costs.
2. Sexual rewards > Sexual costs expected.
3. Equal reward cost ratios.
4. Satisfaction with nonsexual relationship.

Question 11

What is sexual communal strength?

Answer 11

The extent to which you want to please your partner without any reciprocity.
Approach vs. Avoidance

Question 12

Do children affect the sexual relationship of the couple?

Answer 12

Yes, and so there’s a tendency to delay having children.

Question 13

Do children affect the sexual relationship of the couple?

Answer 13

Yes, and so there’s a tendency to delay having children.

Question 14

What is Monogamy?

Answer 14

The expectation for romantic and sexual exclusivity in romantic relationships. yet infidelity is common.

Question 15

What is infidelity? and the two types.

Answer 15

There are many different definitions of infidelity.
Sexual: Physically arousing contact (sexual touching, kissing, oral sex)
Romantic: Close affection or intimate connection (ex. falling in love)
Some behaviours are almost always considered infidelity.

Question 16

What are the four categories of infidelity?

Answer 16

1. Sexual/Explicit behaviours - intercourse, oral sex, touching, Kissing.
2. Technology/Online behaviours - Sexting, cybersex, browsing dating profiles.
3. Emotional/affectionate behaviours - sharing secrets, working late, giving/ receiving emotional support/dressing to attract.
4. Solitary behaviours- viewing porn, masturbation, finding a celebrity attractive.

Question 17

What is the prevalence rates of infidelity?

Answer 17

1. 2%-37.5% in nationally representative U.S. samples.

16. 5%-85.5% in community/college samples.

Question 18

why do people cheat? (Treas & Giesen)

Answer 18

Infidelity is associated with stronger sexual interest, more permissive sexual values, lower relationship satisfaction, weaker network ties to partner & greater sexual opportunities.
–> For many people, being faithful in a long term monogamous relationship takes work.

Question 19

What are the common outcomes of infidelity?

Answer 19

• Psychological distress for both partners, and relationship breakup.

Question 20

What is Mate poaching and when does it occur?

Answer 20

Occurs when someone forms a romantic and or sexual relationship with someone who they know is already in an exclusive relationship. LOWER QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS overall.

Question 21

What are some ways to maintain monogamy?

Answer 21

Proactive avoidance = Avoid opportunities to meet other partners.

Question 22

What are the different consensual nonmonogamy?

Answer 22

Swinging, Polyamory, Open relationships.

Question 23

What are some potential outcomes from CNM?

Answer 23

Greater sexual fulfillment with a second partner associated with lower sexual satisfaction with first partner.
-Engage in sex with both partners for intrinsic reasons.(ex. pleasure)

Question 24

What changes do women experience in their bodies?

Answer 24

Menopause - hot flashes, depressed, vaginal dryness etc.
Changes in levels of sex hormones.
Decline in vaginal lubrication and elasticity.

Question 25

What changes in mens bodies occur with age?

Answer 25

Less testosterone production and sperm output.
Erections occur more slowly.
Volume of ejaculate decreases.
Prostate enlargement

Question 26

What are two critical factors for maintaining sexual capacity in old age?

Answer 26

1. Good physical and mental health.

2. Regularly of sexual expression (use it or lose it)