Chapter 2- Part 1 Flashcards
What is the evolutionary perspectives: Sociobiology?
The application of evolutionary biology to
understanding the evolutionary routes of human behaviour through social behaviour
-Humans and non-human animals
-Promoted by E.O. Wilson (sociobiologist)
What are the key aspect of socio-biology and other
evolutionary perspectives involves an emphasis on what?
strong, healthy offspring and so on and so on…
What is natural selection?
The process by which the individuals that are best adapted to their environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes to the next generation
What did Charles Darwin believe in?
Believed in “survival of the fittest”
-Animals that adapted to their environment where more likely to survive
What is the process of industrial melanism?
Shows the the basis of principles involved in natural selection
Effect was that the peppered moth’ s light appearance made it vulnerable to predators when sitting on sooty buildings from coal production
Mutations created a darker phenotype
-Darker peppered moths less vulnerable to predators
-Natural selection favoured the darker moths which better adapted to their polluted environments
■Thus survived
What is Darmins finches and natural selection?
Darwin noticed a number of species of finches in the Galapagos Islands
Beaks have evolved
to allow for
successful eating
Thus essential nutrition
- Health
- Ability to pass on genes
- Survival
What is process one of sexual selection from Darwin?
Intra-sexual selection where members of a gender (male or female) compete against one another for access to desirable members of the other gender
What is process two of sexual selection from Darwin?
Inter-sexual selection where one gender preferentially chooses desirable members of the opposite gender
- Often females choose the desirable males
- Males may have a preferred status
- Alpha status
What is evolutionary Psychology?
Focuses on psychological mechanisms and processes that have been shaped by natural selection rather than on sexual behaviour
- Acknowledges the cognitive and emotional components of sexual intentions
- Acknowledges that not all relationships are for reproductive pairings
What is the psychoanalytic theory?
Sigmund Freud’s significantly influential psychological theory of human sexuality
Considered sex to be “one of the key forces in human life”
What is libido according to Freud?
Sex drive (energy) -a major life-driving forces
What did Freud believe are the 3 major parts of the personality?
ID
EGO
SUPEREGO
What is the id?
Present at birth, base characteristic that is driven by pleasure; contains the libido’s psychic energy
What is the Ego?
Tries to control the Id’s irrationality selfishness with rational thought
What is the Superego?
The human conscience
-driven by idealism Influenced by socialization, learning, experience
What is an erogenous zone?
A part of the skin or mucous membrane that is extremely sensitive to stimulation of pleasure
Are erogenous zones the same for everyone?
Erogenous zones differ from person to person
What are some examples of erogenous zones?
Lips, ears, neck, mouth
External genitalia, internal anatomy (G-spot, prostate gland)
Rectum, anus
What are the psychoanalytic theory stages of sexual development?
Children progress through various stages of sexual development according to Freud
Fixed stages
Libido energy discharge = pleasure
Each stage is associated
with a specific erogenous zone that is the focus of pleasure
What is the oral stage of sexual development?
Birth to one year of age
Sucking and stimulation of the lips and mucous membranes of the mouth produce the most pleasure
Behaviour is repeated beyond the function of feeding to include soothers, thumbs for pleasure and self-soothing
What is the anal stage of sexual development?
1-2 years of age
Pleasure focus is on the bowels and elimination of waste
Therapists have asserted that children may get “stuck” in this stage if there is over-focus and stress during toilet training
What is the phallic stage of sexual development?
Age 3-5 or 6 years
Pleasure focus is on genitalia
- Clitoris in females
- Penis (phallus) in males
What is the Oedipal complex?
Focus on mother
Love for Phallis
Castration anxiety
Identification with father
-Resolution of Oedipal complex
What is the Electra complex?
Focus on father
Penis Envy
Focus on mothering/ motherhood to resolve conflict
Identification with mother Jungian Theory
What is the Latency stage of sexual development?
Prolonged stage
Follows the resolution of the Oedipus complex
Lasts until adolescence
Freud stated that very little happens sexually at this stage
Much challenged part of theory
What is the genital stage of sexual development?
Occurs at the time of puberty
Consistent with the time, the genital focus promotes the purpose of procreation
Oral, anal and genital urges of puberty were said to fuse together
What are Freuds main contributions?
Increased understanding of human behaviour and motivational forces
Ascertained that libido/sexual energy is a powerful driving force in human behaviour
People pass through stages of development
What are the psychoanalytic theory criticisms?
Concepts cannot be evaluated scientifically
due to the focus on unconscious forces that drive human nature
Self selected cohort
Overemphasis on biology (nature)
- Less on environment (nurture)
- Negates attachment and bonding
What is the feminist critique of the psychoanalytic theory?
Male-centred theory that excludes half of the human population
Misogynistic
Common to most medical research historically
