Chapter 2: Studying Human Sexuality Flashcards
transmits information and norms, rather than images about sexuality to a mass audience to both inform and entertain in a simplified manner
sex information/advice genre
the observation of things as they exist in reality as opposed to our feelings or beliefs about them
objectivity
evaluations based on moral or ethical standards rather than objective ones
value judgments
an unsubstantiated belief or conclusion about what seems to be true according to our thoughts
opinion
a personal learning or inclination that reflects a prejudice in favor of or against a person, group, or think in contrast to another
bias
a set of simplistic, rigidly held, overgeneralized beliefs about a particular type of individual or group of people, an idea, and so on
stereotype
a way in which we organize knowledge in our thought processes
schema
an error in reasoning that affects our understanding of a subject
fallacy
the mistaken belief that our own personal experience and values generally are held by others
egocentric fallacy
also known as ethnocentrism, is the belief that our own ethnic group, nation, or culture is innately superior to others
ethnocentric fallacy
reinforced by opinions, biases, and stereotypes about other groups and cultures
ethnocentrism
the method by which a hypothesis is formed from impartially gathered data and tested empirically
scientific method
drawing a general conclusion from specific facts
induction
sex researches that use the same methodology as other social scientists, they are constrained by ethical concerns and taboos that those in many other fields do not experience
sexologists
people are free to decide, without coercion, whether to participate in a research study
informed consent
a sample collected in a unbiased way, with the selection of each member of the sample based solely on chance
random sample
a sample with a small group representing the larger group in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and so on
representative sample
samples that are not representative of the larger group
biased samples
when someone has publicly identified themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual
come out
the in-depth examination of an individual or group that goes to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker for assistance with psychological or medical problems or disorders
clinical research
unhealthy or diseased behavior
pathological behavior
a method that uses questionnaires or interviews to gather information
survey research
personal notes of one’s sexual activity
sexual diary
a method by which a researcher unobtrusively observes and makes systematic notes about people’s behavior without trying to manipulate it
observational research
the researcher participates in the behaviors he or she is studying
participant observation
the systematic manipulation of individuals or the environment to learn the effects of such manipulation on behavior
experimental research
aspects or factors that can be manipulated in experiments
variables
factors that can be manipulated or changed by the experimenter
independent variables
factors that are likely to be affected by changes in the independent variable
dependent variable
studies that measure two or more naturally occurring variables to determine their relationship to each other
correlational studies
devices attached to the genitals to measure physiological response
plethysmographs
a device resembling a rubber band that fits around the penis
strain guage
psychological disorders characterized by anxiety or tension
neuroses
a psychological mechanism that kept people from becoming aware of hidden memories and motives because they aroused guilt
repression
a psychological system that ascribes behavior to unconscious desires
psychoanalysis
the first stage, lasting from birth to age 1, of Freud’s five stages in psychosexual development. The infant’s eroticism is focused on the mouth; thumb sucking produces an erotic pleasure
oral stage
the second stage, between ages 1 and 3, of Freud’s five stages in psychosexual development. Children’s sexual activities continue to be autoerotic, but the region of pleasure shifts to the anus
anal stage
the third stage, from ages 3 through 5, of Freud’s five stages in psychosexual development. Children exhibit interest in the genitals
phallic stage
the fourth stage, at age 6, of Freud’s five stages in psychosexual development. Children’s sexual impulses are no longer active
latency stage
the last stage, at puberty, of Freud’s five stages in psychosexual development. Children become interested in genital sexual activities, especially sexual intercourse
genital stage
when the boy develops sexual desires for his mother, he simultaneously desires his mother and fears his father
Oedipal complex
the boy’s belief that his penis will be cut off by his father because of jealousy
castration anxiety
a girls desire for her father while fearing her mother
Electra complex
Upon discovering that she does not have a penis, a girl feels deprived
penis envy
a movement that involves women and men working together for equality
feminism
the development of social categories, such as masculinity, femininity, heterosexuality, and homosexuality, by society
social construction
a group that is not being treated or experimented on
control group
a person’s ranking in society based on a combination of occupational, educational, and income levels
socioeconomic status
the view that the attitudes, values, and behaviors of one ethnic group are similar to those of another ethnic group
cultural equivalency perspective
a positive concept, celebrate, celebrating the values of courage, strength, generosity, politeness, and respect for others
machismo
the process of adaptation of an ethnic group to the values, attitudes, and behaviors of the dominant culture
acculturation
a commitment to family and family members
familismo
