Chapter 2- Theory

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

• Set of ideas/concepts used to explain a set of
  observed facts
• Provides a conceptual framework for explaining/predicting sexual thoughts, attitudes,
  and behaviours

Question 2

Psychoanalytic theory / Psychoanalysis

Answer 2

• Sigmund Freud
• therapeutic approach designed to examine, correct, and balance disruptions in one’s personality
• personality has 3 main parts

1. Id: instinctual desires, pleasure principle “I WANT IT NOW”
2. Ego: mediates between realities of the outside world and personal urges, rational principle,tries to keep the id inline = realistic, rational interactions
3. Superego: internalized standards, conscience – contains the vales and ideals of society that we learn – operates on idealism – aims to inhibit the impulses of the id and to persuade the ego to strive for moral goals rather than realistic ones.

Question 3

How does psychoanalytic theory explain personality development?

Answer 3

• as the result of successful (or unsuccessful) completion of specific stages during the first six years of life

Question 4

Freud’s psychosexual development

Answer 4

Question 5

fixation

Answer 5

blocked libidinal energy

Question 6

oedipus complex

Answer 6

part of the phallic stage where a boy sees his father as a rival for his mother’s affection

Question 7

Electra complex

Answer 7

penis envy

Question 8

Pros of the psychoanalytic theory

Answer 8

• first theory to emphasize the importance of childhood in personality development
• provided a therapeutic approach to help those with psychological problems

Question 9

Cons of the psychoanalytic theory

Answer 9

• overemphasis on sex, particularly from the male perspective
• flawed clinical data
• impossible to test the theory experimentally

Question 10

Classical conditioning

Answer 10

• pairing a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus will result in a conditioned response over time
• ex: fetishes, doing activity, associate it with sexual pleasure

Question 11

Operant conditioning

Answer 11

• B.F Skinner
• individual gets frequent rewards until the individual provides the desired behavior

Question 12

Positive reinforcement

Answer 12

• individual is more likely to repeat a behaviour when he/she is rewarded

Question 13

Negative punishment

Answer 13

• individual is less likely to repeat a behavior when reinforcers are removed

Question 14

Primary reinforcers

Answer 14

• sex and food
• built in rewards

Question 15

Evolutionary psychology

Answer 15

• bridging natural and social sciences
• modern adaptations/behaviors = natural/sexual selection
• choice= advance species
• Women placed a greater premium on mans ambition, goals , drive, high social status, intelligence
• Men placed a greater premium on physical attractiveness and youth

Question 16

Cognitive theories

Answer 16

• emphasize the importance of thought patterns and how they influence behaviour
• thoughts are subject to distortions + false assumptions, can result in psychological distress
• Children acquire gender roles through reinforcement/observation of gender-appropriate behaviour

Question 17

Social learning theory

Answer 17

• Albert Bandura
• based on the notion that learning occurs through modelling observed behaviours
• 3 key stages: imitation, identification, self-efficacy
• Sex is a primary reinforcer and a behaviour that can be shaped by rewards and punishments
• sex therapy which uses operant conditioning focuses on behavioural rehearsals to establish desirable outcomes

Question 18

Social exchange theory

Answer 18

• people act so that they maximize rewards and minimize costs
• 4 components:

1. Balance of costs and rewards
2. Equity/equality
3. Comparison level
4. Compaison level for alternatives

Question 19

Sociological theories

Answer 19

• importance of social institutions such as religion and family
• institutions determine how sexuality is defined and expressed within a given society
• sex is linked to societal structures of power, kinshop and ideology

Question 20

Feminist theory

Answer 20

• form of a critical theory
• inequities between males and females are reflected in male-female relationships
• “typical” sexual behavior, such as vaginal intercourse and male pleasure, is an agenda reflecting male privilege
• focus on: sexual objectification, potential of sexuality, acceptance of lesbianism/bisexuality, sexual pleasure

Question 21

Queer theory

Answer 21

• challenges assumptions about gender and sexuality
• assumption that heterosexuality is superior to other sexual orientations
• assumption of a binary sexual orientation (i.e- gay/lesbian OR heterosexual)
• states that concepts of heterosexuality and homosexuality are social constructs

Question 22

Intersectionality

Answer 22

• recognizes the interaction between gender, race, and other categories of difference in individual lives
• understands that systems of oppression, such as colonialism, racism, patriarchy, capitalism, and heterosexuality are connected and impact social circumstances

Question 23

Social script theory

Answer 23

• social interactions are made easy and predictable because we follow culturally pre-defined patterns of behavior

Question 24

Sexual script theory

Answer 24

• we learn scripts from our social environment about how men and women should behave

1. Cultural: general social rules for sexual interactions
2. Interpersonal: apply cultural scripts to own sexual interactions
3. Intrapsychic: internalize and personalize cultural scripts

Question 25

Traditional sexual script

Answer 25

• western culture
• heterosexual script for men and women
• men= assertive, initiators, higher sex drive, more interested in recreational sex
• women= gate-keepers, passive, want commitment