Chapter 2: Theoretical perspectives on sexuality Flashcards
Sociobiology
The application of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behavior of animals, including humans.
Evolution
A theory that all living things have acquired their present forms through gradual changes in their genetic endowment over successive generations.
Natural selection
A process in nature resulting in greater rates of survival of those plants and animals that are best adapted to their environment.
Parental investment
In evolutionary theories, behaviors or other investments in the offspring by the parent that increase the offspring’s chance of survival.
Sexual selection
A specific type of selection that creates differences between males and females.
Evolutionary psychology
The study of psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by evolution.
Psychoanalytic theory
A psychological theory originated by Sigmund Freud; it contains a basic assumption that part of human personality is unconscious.
Libido
In psychoanalytic theory, the term for the sex energy or sex drive.
Id
According to Freud, the part of the personality containing the libido.
Ego
According to Freud, the part of the personality that helps the person have realistic, rational interactions.
Superego
According to Freud, the part of the personality containing the conscience.
Erogenous zones
Areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation.
Oedipus complex
According to Freud, the sexual attraction of a little boy for his mother.
Electra complex
According to Freud, the sexual attraction of a little girl for her father.
Classical conditioning
The learning process in which a previously neutral stimulus (> conditioned stimulus) is repeatedly pared with an unconditioned stimulus that reflexively elicits an unconditioned response. Eventually the conditioned stimulus itself will evoke the response.
Operant conditioning
The process of changing the frequency of a behavior (the operant) by following it with positive reinforcement (which will make the behavior more frequent in the future) or punishment (which should make the behavior less frequent in the future).
Behavioral modification
A set of operant conditioning techniques used to modify human behavior.
Self-efficacy
A sense of competence at performing an activity.
Social exchange theory
A theory, based on the principle of reinforcement, that assumes that people will choose actions that maximize rewards and minimize costs.
Schema
A general knowledge framework that a person has about a particular topic.
Intersextionality
An approach that simultaneously considers the consequences of multiple group memberships, e.g., the intersection of gender and ethnicity.
Performativity
Ways in which we perform gender or sexuality based on society’s norms, much as actors perform in a play.
Heteronormativity
The belief that heterosexuality is the only pattern that is normal and natural.
Symbolic interaction theory
A theory based on the premise that human behavior and the social order are products of communication among people. Also called symbolic interactionism.
