Chapter 2: Theoretical Perspectives on Sexuality Flashcards
the application of evolutionary biology to understanding the social behavior of animals, including humans
sociobiology
a theory that all living things have acquired their present forms through gradual changes in their genetic endowment over successive generations
evolution
a process in nature resulting in greater rates of survival of those plants and animals that are adapted to their environment
natural selection
a specific type of selection that creates differences between males and females
sexual selection
the study of psychological mechanisms that have been shaped by natural selection
evolutionary psychology
a psychological theory originated by Sigmund Freud; it contains a basic assumption that part of human personality is unconscious
psychoanalytic theory
in psychoanalytic theory, the term for the sex energy or sex drive
libido
according to Freud, the part of the personality containing the libido
id
according to Freud, the part of the personality that helps the person have realistic, rational interactions
ego
according to Freud, the part of the personality containing the conscience
superego
areas of the body that are particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation
erogenous zones
according to Freud, the sexual attraction of a little boy for his mother
Oedipus complex
according to Freud, the sexual attraction of a little girl for her father
Electra complex
the learning process in which a previously neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus) is repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus that reflexively elicits an unconditioned response. Eventually the conditioned stimulus itself will evoke the response
classical 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)
operant conditioning
a set of operant conditioning techniques used to modify human behavior
behavior modification
the process of repeatedly pairing a behavior with an aversive stimulus, leading to a decline in the frequency of the behavior
extinction
a sense of competence at performing an activity
self-efficacy
a theory, based on the principle of reinforcement, that assumes that people will choose actions that maximize rewards and minimize costs
social exchange theory
a general knowledge framework that a person has about a particular topic
schema
the process by which certain sexual behaviors or conditions are defined in terms of health and illness, and problematic experiences or practices are given medical treatment
medicalization of sexuality
a theory based on the premise that hyman nature and the social order are products of communication among people
symbolic interaction theory
