Exam 1 Study Deck Flashcards
Sex
Anatomic sex of male or female
Anatomic structures
Behaviors
Feelings and desires
Human sexuality
Our experiences and our expressions of ourselves as sexual beings, which are affected by our culture
Physiology of arousal and response
Biology
STIs, reproduction, and sexual dysfunction
Medical Science
Formation of sexual behavior and attitudes
Psychology
Relations between sexuality and demographic categories (race, religion, SES, etc.)
Sociology
Cultural differences and similarities
Anthropology
Asceticism
Self-denial of desires
Ancient Hebrews
The Ancient Hebrews
- Emphasized procreative function of sex
- “Be fruitful and multiply”
- Same-sex sexual relations were strongly condemned
- Sex strengthened marriage and solidified family
- Wealthy leaders could have multiple wives
- Women considered property of men
- Adultery was not allowed, at least for women.
The Ancient Greeks (500 BCE to 300 BCE)
Valued family life
Admired male body of muscle and health
Gods viewed as sexually adventurous
Viewed men and women as bisexual
Male-male sex was considered normal as long as it did not interfere with the family
Pederasty was condoned as long as the boy was not prepubescent
Prostitution was very popular
Courtesans and concubines
Women held low social status
Islam
Values marriage and sexual fulfillment in marriage only
Premarital sex and adultery condemned
Only men may allowed more than one spouse
Social interactions between men and women restricted
India
Hinduism views sex as a religious duty
Sexual fulfillment can lead to reincarnation at a higher level
Kama Sutra written between 200 and 400 CE
Became more restrictive after 1000 CE
Taoism (China)
Sex is a form of worship that leads to harmony with nature, as well as immortality
Sex manual came into use about 200 BCE
Intercourse was extended and women’s orgasm mattered
Female, not male, masturbation accepted
Same-sex relations not prohibited
Beginnings of the Scientific Study of Sexuality
Began during the Victorian Era
Sexologists gained credence
Havelock Ellis’ “encyclopedia”
Richard von Krafft-Ebing’s case studies
Sigmund Freud’s theory
Alfred Kinsey’s surveys
Learning theories
behaviorists and social cognitive theory
Behaviorists
Focus on the effects of rewards and punishments on behavior
Social Cognitive Theory
Learn by observation and reinforcement
Cognitive Theories
Emphasizes cognitive activity
- Problem solving
- Decision making
- Expectations
- Attitudes and beliefs
An _________ approach is used to study human sexuality
empirical
Scientific Method
- Formulate a research question
- Frame in form of a hypothesis
- Test the hypothesis
- Draw conclusions
Goals of the Science of Human Sexuality
Describe, predict, explain, control
Stratified random sample
Represents subgroups in population proportionately
Case Study
Carefully drawn, in-depth biography of an individual or a small group of individuals that may be obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and historical records
The Kinsey Reports
- In USA, from 1938-1948, 5,300 males and 5,940 females
- Used group sampling
- Minorities underrepresented
- Confidentiality was assured
- Reliability was checked
- Validity hard to establish
National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults
- Attempted a nationally representative sample of 13-24 year olds
- Purposefully over-sampled ethnic minorities
- Had a 55% response rate
National Surveys of Family Growth (NSFG)
- Conducted by the CDC to assess public health concerns
- Provides accurate view of general US population
Magazine surveys
- Large numbers of respondents
- Only self-selected readers
Ethnographic Observation
- Anthropologists engage in ethnographic research
- Provides data about customs and behaviors that occur among various ethnic groups
- Researcher’s presence may influence behaviors
Participant Observation
Investigators collect data by interacting with the subjects under study
Masters and Johnson
Among first to report observations on individuals and couples involved in sex acts
Methods and instruments offered first reliable data on what happens to the body during sexual response
Confounding factor from knowing you are being observed
Used penile strain gauge and vaginal plethysmograph to measure vasocongestion and myotonia
Ethics in Sex research
-Exposing participants to harm
-Confidentiality
-Informed consent
- Use of deception
Clitoris
Shaft
Body of clitoris, approximately 1 inch long and ¼ inch wide
Consists of corpora cavernosa, spongy tissue that becomes engorged from sexual stimulation
Prepuce
Fold of skin (hood) covering clitoral shaft and glans
Glans
Extremely sensitive tip of clitoris
Indirect stimulation usually preferred
External Sex organs
Vestibule
“Entranceway” within the labia minora that contains the openings to the vagina and urethra
Urethral Opening
The opening through which urine passes from the bladder out of the body
Its proximity to external sex organs can pose hygienic problems for sexually active women
Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder
Crura
Attach clitoris to pubic bone
Vestibular bulbs
Cavernous structures extending downward along sides of introitus
three layers of vagina
Inner lining (vaginal mucosa)
Middle layer (muscular)
Outer (deeper) layer connects vagina to other pelvic structures
Cervix
- Lower end of the uterus
-Os - Opening in the middle of the cervix
- About the width of a straw
- Allows passage of menstrual blood and sperm
- Expands to permit passage of baby (10 cm)
Proliferative phase
First phase
Begins with end of menstruation, lasts 9 or 10 days
Endometrium proliferates
Follicles develop and prepare for ovulation
Estrogen increases
Endometrium thickens
Stimulates thin cervical mucus production
Eggs ripen
Ovulatory Phase
Second phase, in which ovulation occurs
Follicle ruptures and releases a mature ovum
If two are released, fraternal twins could develop
Basal body temperature dips slightly
Some women experience mittelschmerz
Secretory Phase (postovulatory or luteal)
- Third phase, uterus prepares for implantation
- Corpus luteum produces large amounts of progesterone and estrogen
- Prompts secretion of nutrients to sustain implanted ovum
- If no implantation, levels of LH and FSH dramatically decline
- Corpus luteum decomposes
Estrogen and progesterone levels dramatically decline
Menstrual Phase
Fourth phase
Hormone levels decline
endometrium disintegrates and shed
Menstrual flow contains blood, endometrial tissue, and mucous
Tampons now more popular than napkins or pads
Low estrogen results in release of FSH, cycle starts again
Climacteric
- Long-term decline in the reproductive capacity of the ovaries
Symptoms resulting from estrogen loss
Night sweats, hot flashes, hot flushes
Dizziness, headaches, joint pain
Decreased vaginal lubrication
Osteoporosis
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A diagnosis used by the American Psychiatric Association to describe cases of PMS that are characterized by severe changes in mood and impaired functioning at work or school or in social relationships
Range in size of penis
Flaccid – 3.6 inches
Erect – 5.16 inches
Vasectomy
Sterilization procedure in which the vas deferens is severed
Prevents sperm from reaching the ejaculatory duct
Cowper’s Glands
Lies below the prostrate
Secretes clear, slippery fluid into the urethra during sexual arousal
Secretion may reduce male acidity and also lubricate passageway for sperm
Not enough produced to lubricate the vagina during intercourse
Also known as the bulbourethral glands
Cancer of the Prostate
Diagnoses and Screening
Digital rectal exam (DRE)
Prostate-specific antigen (PSE)
ACS recommends testing starting at age 50
Some concern about overdiagnosis and overtreatment
Early diagnosis can provide treatment before spreading
Peyronie’s Disease
Excessive curvature that makes erections painful
Priapism
Erections that persist for hours
Causes include leukemia, sickle cell disease, diseases of the spinal cord
Dangerous due to lack of oxygen to penile tissue
Ejaculation
Occurs in two stages
Emission phase
Involves contractions of prostate, seminal vesicles, and upper part of vas deferens (ampulla)
Fluid is propelled into the urethral tract
Expulsion Phase
Muscles at base of penis and elsewhere contract, forcing out semen
Generally accompanied by pleasure
Retrograde Ejaculation
Ejaculate empties into the bladder
Sphincter actions are reversed
Results in dry orgasm
Can result in infertility, but otherwise harmless
Sox 9 regulates
expression of SRY
Cryptorchidism
The condition defined by testes that fail to descend
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
Most common form of female intersexualism
Genetic female has female internal sexual structures but masculinized external genitals
Due to exposure to excessive levels of androgens
Girls with CAH exhibit more interest in masculine-typed behaviors
Results may support a hormonal contribution to gender identity
Dominican Republic syndrome
A genetic enzyme disorder prevents testosterone from masculinizing the external genitalia
Raised as females
At puberty, testosterone levels become normal
Voices deepened, musculature filled out, “clitorises” expanded into penises
Most shift to male gender identity
Evolutionary perspective
of Gender
Genes that contribute to survival are passed on
Genetic heritage influences social and sexual behavior
Traditional roles are passed on through genes
Controversial perspective
