Human Sexuality Exam 2 Flashcards
Factors in ability to communicate
- biological factors
- sociocultural factors
- psychological factors
Biological factors of communication
Physiological reactions, impact of alcohol and drug use, physical touching, hearing loss
Sociocultural factors of communication
Influence of media, gender, culture, religion, examples set by family and peers
Psychological factors of communication
Emotions, role of double standard in thinking, ego
Communication: a transactional process
- Involves conveying symbols, words, gestures, movements
- Goal of establishing human contact, exchanging information, and reinforcing or changing attitudes and behaviors
The nature of communication; 3 contexts
- Cultural context
- social context
- psychological context
Cultural context
the language, values, beliefs, and customs in which communication takes place
Social context
the roles we play in society
Psychological context
how people communicate based on their personalities
Basic communication model (feedbackloop)
- Sender has idea
- Sender encodes message
- Channel carries message
- Receiver decodes message
- Feedback
Repeat
the process of communicating sexually
- Basic five-step model of communication
- Nonverbal communication
Nonverbal communication
unwritten and unspoken
Verbal communication: Levels of communication
- Cliche conversation (lowest level)
- Giving information & reporting facts
- expressing ideas
- sharing feelings
- Self-disclosure
- intimate relationships
Characteristics of a good listener
- face the speaker
- maintain eye contact
- minimize external distractions
- respond appropriately
- focus soley on what the speaker is saying
- minimize internal distractions
- keep an open mind
- engage yourself
Listening
seeking information
Good listening skills
- facing the speaker/making eye contact
- giving signs that you are listening
- paying close attention
- asking clarification questions
- giving feedback/offering suggestions
- understanding other perspectives
- disregarding personal biases
Types of communication
- verbal
- nonverbal
- context of the message
verbal communication
speaking skills/listening skills
Nonverbal communication
- signs/symbols
- body language
Context of the message
physical context/emotional context
A vast majority of message meaning is sent
nonverbally
Many forms of nonverbal communication exist, including:
eye contact, facial expressions, tone of voice, posture & sounds that convey understanding
Nonverbal expression of feelings and thoughts are easy to what?
misinterpret
Most of our “feeling” communication is what?
nonverbal
3 important factors of nonverbal communication
- Proximity: nearness in physical space
- Eye contact: a symbol of interest
- Touching: signals intimacy, closeness
Nonverbal communication should what?
clarify, not confuse
Communication barriers
- inconsistent verbal & nonverbal messages
- defensiveness
- feedback is not given
- not actively listening
- being distracted
- speaking a different language
- different interpretations/perceptions
- not being clear or honest with your feelings
- being passive-aggressive
- personal biases affect message or response
- wishful listening
- resistance to change
- making assumptions about the other person
- organizing own thoughts rather than listening
- not enough time
- mind altering drugs
- electronic communication
Frame of reference =
personal biases affect message or response
Ways to avoid miscommunication
- not being distracted
- check biases
- avoid stereotypes
- take time to effectively communicate (most common problem)
Male & female communication issues
- vocabulary differences
- gender roles
- expressing feelings
- learned or real differences?
Barriers to effective sexual communication
- bypassing
- frame of reference
- lack of language skills
- lack of listening skills
- sex myths
- sexual fear
- negative beliefs about sexuality
- lack of sexuality information
- mind-altering drugs
- gender issues
- attitudes about sexuality
- sexual vocabulary
- privacy
- boundaries
- gender communication issues
Attitudes about sexuality
- some people are prevented from communicating openly about attitudes learned at home
- culture created where women are viewed in a negative way if they initiate or enjoy sex
Sexual language
- Many people are uncomfortable with sexual language
- Sexual language used can promote communication and relationships, or it can inhibit them
Parent-teen communication
- some prevented from communicating openly
- parents often don’t have conversations about sexuality with kids
- good parent-teen communication helps young people establish values and make healthy decisions
- leads to improved contraceptive use, improved communication about sexuality, delays initiation of sexual intercourse, & lowers sexual risk behaviors
Only about _ of adolescents have had conversation about sexuality with their parents
15%
_ of parents say they do not know how to discuss sexuality with their children
90%
_ of adults and _ of teens think it would be easier for young people to delay sexual activity & avoid unwanted pregnancy
91% & 87%
Sexual communication
- connects sexuality & intimacy
- sexual communication is tied to sexual satisfaction, which is tied to relationship satisfaction
- unique
In established relationships, initiating sexual activity
heterosexuals: men more often
same-sex: more emotionally expressive partner
Developing sexual communication skills
- Identify obstacles to discussing sex
- Keys to good communication (more tips later in this presentation)
- Self-disclosure
- Trust
- Feedback
Online sexual activities
- global
- cybersex
- online sex websites/chatrooms
- meet new partners
- safety
Dial-a-porn
- Commercial telephone sex lines that enable the caller to anonymously “talk dirty” with someone
- Phone worker is paid to respond to the caller’s fantasies
- Creates a sense of “pseudo-intimacy” with the voice
Cell phone sex
- easy access
- privacy
- mobility
- billion-dollar industry
Cybersex
Real time event involving persons engaging in sexual talk for the purpose of sexual gratification.
Triple-A engine
- access
- affordability
- anonymity
Online sexual activities effect on culture
- Crosses distance
- Promotes intimacy without physical contact
- Creates a new level of expression
- Positive for expression of under-represented groups
- Negative if it becomes compulsive or addictive
Benefits associated with sexting
- Closeness to receiver
- Fun/entertaining
- Physical validation
- Discuss boundaries
- Discuss likes/dislikes
- Increase arousal
- More likely to engage in risk-reduction behaviors
Risks associated with sexting
- Cyberbullying
- Sextbullying (subset of cyberbullying)
- Sextortion
- College admissions/job placement
- Emotional distress/humiliation
- Depression
- Suicide
- Legal risks (esp. for underage sexting)
- Vulnerable to child predators/sex traffickers
Legal risk of underage sexting
- Child pornography
- Distributing or possessing a sexually explicit photo
- Communicating with a minor with the intent of a lewd act
- Internet sex crimes
- Sending harmful matter with the intent of seduction
- Federal Law:
– No federal laws directly address teen sexting
– Many lawyers and parents feel that most sexting cases are best addressed by education and parental involvement
Legal consequences of underage sexting in Arkansas
In general, under Arkansas law it is a felony to:
- Knowingly produce, direct or promote any material that contains a child (under the age of 17) engaged in a sexual act.
— If convicted, an individual could face up to 30 years in prison.
- Knowingly posses or view any material of a child (under the age of 17) engaged in a sexual act.
— If convicted, an individual could face up to 10 years in prison.
- Uses or coerces a child (under the age of 17) into creating or participate in material that contains a minor engaged in a sexually explicit activity.
— If convicted, an individual could face up to 30 years in prison.
In AR, underage sexting (>18 years)
- Possession
— Any kind of nudity
— Any kind of sex act - Distribution
- Purposely creates
Active learning
- Develop their own “safety tips” and “guidelines” to prevent underage sexting and cyberbullying and promote online safety
- student-produced PSA regarding underage sexting: posters, videos
Decision-making skills
- evaluate consequences of sexting
Refusal skills
- Clear “NO” statement
- fogging statement
- alternative action
- delaying statement
Refusing while maintaining the relationship
refusal skills
How to argue
know your triggers
stand up for your rights without violating the rights of others
assertiveness
standing up for your rights at the expense of someone else’s rights
aggressiveness
Giving up your basic rights so that other people can achieve theirs
Nonassertiveness/passive
Learning assertiveness - DESC
- Describe the other person’s behavior or situation as objectively as possible (e.g. “When…”)
- Express your feelings about the other person using “I” statement (e.g. “I feel…”)
- Specify changes you would like to see made (e.g. “I would like you to…”)
- Choose the consequences you are prepared to accept (e.g. “If you…” or “If you don’t…” or “I will…”)
Assertiveness skills
State your position
- what you think and how you feel
- use I-statements
Offer a reason
- give your perspective
acknowledge other’s feelings
- don’t threaten or harm others
Tips to help people become more assertive
- Assess your style
- Use “I” statements
- Rehearse what you want to say
- Use body language
- Keep emotions in check
Resolving conflict; conflict resolution process
- active listening
- identify your position
- propose and explore alternatives
Giving and receiving criticism
- Find a private, relaxing place to discuss thoughts and feelings
- Devote sufficient time to discussion
- Limit distractions
- Plan relaxed time for discussion – avoid just before or after sexual encounter
- Recommendations for giving and receiving criticism
Techniques for improving sexual communication
- realize that one does not know everything
- ask good questions
- be open-minded and nonjudgmental
- maintain care and trust
- planning
- flooding
- learning assertiveness
Just like any other topic, partners should set aside time to talk about sexuality
planning
Repeating, over and over again, sexual words that are uncomfortable
flooding
Learning assertiveness
DESC model of assertiveness
Additional techniques for improving communication
- conflict resolution
- giving and receive criticism
- know your triggers
- evaluate your communication & identify ways that you miscommunicate
Steps toward change: techniques used by counselors to help us to communicate more effectively
- Practice active listening
- Elicit feedback
- Express feelings
- Use “I” statements
- Prohibit interruptions and blaming
Elements of healthy relationships
- Good communication
- Intimacy
- Friendship
- Trust
- Dependability
- Faith
Keys to good relationships
- acknowledgment that people communicate differently
- communicating how you feel
- improving your communication skills
Healthy relationships require what?
skills & continued effort
What is a key element in sexual arousal?
the brain
The brain and sexual response
- typical means of reacting to sexual stimulants
- variation exist in sexual response
How the body controls sexual response
sexual hormones
- endocrine system
- hormones are released
- testosterone
Activating the response: Internal stimuli
Central arousal system
- emotional and pleasure centers of the brain
- when the mind ascribes sexual meaning, genital physiological arousal can be automatic
Central arousal system
Activating the response: External stimuli
Peripheral arousal system
- cues from skin, touch, genital stimulation, NS (heart racing, muscle tension, perspiration, mind racing), and senses
Peripheral arousal system
“sexual peak” in men
18-30 (high testosterone)
“Sexual peak” in women
35-40s (biological response to reproduce before fertility declines, as well as more comfortable with themselves, their bodies, their partner, etc.)
Masters & Johnson (1966)
- Detailed the sexual response cycles of more than 10,000 episodes of sexual behaviors from 382 male and 312 female research subjects
- Combined clinical observation with direct measurement of genital arousal using electronic devices
Four phases of Masters and Johnson’s model
- excitement
- plateau
- orgasm/climax
- resolution
sexual stimuli result in specific changes in bodies such as muscle tension, blood flow to genitals, sex flush (women only), etc.
Excitement phase
excitement becomes enhanced, heart rate quickens, blood pressure rises, muscle tension increases, sex flush (men and women)
Plateau phase
emission and expulsion; contractions
orgasm phase
refractory
resolution phase
Master’s and Johnson’s Sexual response cycle
Male: more predictable; easier to achieve; 9 min refractory phase
Female: harder to achieve; multi-orgasmic; 14 sec refractory phase
Shakespeare’s Macbeth on alcohol and sexual response
“Provokes the desire, but takes away the performance!”
Gender differences for arousal
Women: Romance/Trust; 15-20 minutes
Men: Physical/stimulation; 1+ minutes
Factors that influence sexual response cycle: biological factors
Sexual arousal and response are physiological reactions, impacts of individual’s sex
Factors that influence sexual response cycle: sociocultural factors
impact of religious beliefs on feelings about sexuality; traditional gender norms
Factors that influence sexual response cycle: psychological factors
Feelings towards partner, level of experience, learned attitudes
- Consists of a two-stage process — emission and expulsion
- Emission involves contractions of the vas deferens, the seminal vesicles, the prostrate, and the internal urethral sphincters.
- Expulsion consists of relaxing the external urethral sphincter, contractions of the urethra and muscles at the base of the penis and the anus, and the expelling of the ejaculate.
- usually reached within 2 minutes of penile insertion/stimulation
Orgasm-male
- Preceded by the increase in size of the uterus and vagina, lubrication of the vaginal walls, engorgement of blood in the outer third of the vagina, and retraction of the clitoris
- 3-15 contractions
Orgasm-female
Types of orgasms in females
- Vulval orgasm (not as sexually satiating), repeated
- Uterine orgasm (more sexually satiating)
- Blended orgasm
Effects of aging on sexual response: females
- Thinning of vaginal lining
- Reduced lubrication
- Cramping with orgasm
- Longer time for arousal to occur
- Longer time to reach orgasm
- Fewer muscular contractions with orgasm
Effects of aging on sexual response: males
- Takes longer to achieve full erection
- Reduction in the amount of semen
- Longer time to reach orgasm
- Reduced strength of orgasmic contractions
- Lengthening of refractory period
Sexual scripts
- cultural
- intrapersonal
- interpersonal
the generally socially accepted pattern that sexual behaviors are expected to take
- moral/immoral; normal/abnormal
Cultural sexual script
the meaning we give to our internal & physiological states associated with sexual arousal
- erection/vaginal lubrication
intrapersonal sexual script
the shared signals that enable two people to engage in sexual behavior
- exchange of looks, tone of voice
Interpersonal sexual script
Five senses in human sexuality
- touch
- sight
- smell
- hearing
- taste
touch
- sexual touching is central to sexual stimulation
- gentle touching and caressing of the skin
Sight
- the power of visual images in prevalent in society
- books, magazines, films, and television in sexual stimulation
Smell
- popularity of perfumes and colognes
- pheromones
Hearing
words and sounds
taste
kissing
positive emotional response to sexuality
erotophilia
negative emotional response to sexuality
erotophobia
What can dissolve much of the anxiety that underlies erotophobia?
positive sexual experiences
Attractiveness
facial symmetry
Across all cultures, besides facial symmetry, what two things do all genders find consistently attractive?
1) health
2) youthfulness
Various cultures emphasize what?
- the eyes
- height & weight
- size & shape of genitals
What are some health benefits of sexual behaviors?
- boosts self-esteem
- improves intimacy
- reduces pain
- relieves stress
- boosts immunity
- burns calories
- improves cardiovascular health
- reduces risk for prostate cancer
- strengthens pelvic floor muscles
- helps you sleep better
Average time spent (in minutes) during sex in Arkansas?
2:08
Top 5 states with highest time spend during sexual intercourse
- New Mexico (7:01)
- West Virginia (5:38)
- Idaho (5:11)
- South Carolina (4:48)
- Missouri (4:22)
Bottom 5 states with lowest time spent during sexual intercourse
- Georgia (2:07)
- Montana (2:03)
- Vermont (1:48)
- SD (1:30)
- Alaska (1:21)
Is there a difference between sex and sexual behaviors?
Sex is limited to: oral, anal & vaginal
Sexual behaviors is more broad
Sexual behaviors
- touch
- kissing
- oral-genital sex
- Physical contact that usually precedes sexual intercourse
- Touching, kissing, biting, and genital fondling
- Pleasuring each other
- Prepares participants (psychologically and physically) for sexual intercourse
- Average of 15 minutes in foreplay
- Communication with your partner
Foreplay
Female Arousal
women are especially responsive to touch
- General touch first
- Then genital touch
- Foreplay is important
- Most females need around 15-20 minutes to become fully aroused
Male arousal
- Size- average, un-erect penis about 3 inches; erect about 5-6 inches
- Penis length doesn’t relate to a pleasure
– vaginal walls only have feeling of first 4 inches
– prostate gland 2 inches inside male’s rectum
Genital touch is one of many forms of touching
- heavy petting (manual stimulation)
- interfemoral intercourse
- tribadism
- mutual masturbation
usually our earliest interpersonal sexual experience
kissing
Sexual activities that do not involve a partner; self-stimulation
masturbation
Grafenberg or G-spot
2 inches on anterior side of vagina
A-spot
further down from the G-spot
the erotic stimulation of a woman’s vulva and/or clitoris by her partner’s mouth and tongue
Cunnilingus
The oral stimulation of a man’s penis by his partner’s sucking and licking
Fellatio
four most common positions in sexual intercourse
- missionary
- girl-on-top
- rear entry
- side-by-side
oral-anal contact
analingus
Intestinal infections and STIs can be spread through what?
analingus
Anal stimulation
- analingus
- anal manual activities
- anal intercourse
Sexual minority behaviors
- lesbian sexual activities
- gay sexual activities
Drunk sex is
not good sex
After-sex hygiene
- wash sex toys with warm water & mild soap, let dry
- was genitals with warm water and mild soap; don’t douche
- drink water
- wear loose-fitting clothing
- wash hands
- always pee after sex
How to please your partner. Most important for Males? Females?
Males: stimulation
Females: trust/romance
When is sexual behavior abnormal?
- an abnormal sexual behavior is rare or not practiced by many people
- sexual behavior that violates the norms of society
- criteria include discomfort, inefficiency, and bizarreness
- behaviors that are not statistically typical of American sexual behaviors
- “atypical sexual behavior” sometimes used
Sexual variations
- means “Love” (philia) “beyond the usual” (para) “unconventional sexual behaviors that are obsessive and compulsive”
- about 50 types
- prevalence generally higher in males than females
Paraphilia
a mental disorder characterized by recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or sexual behaviors lasting at least 6 months and involving
1. nonhuman objects
2. suffering or humiliation of oneself or one’s partner, or
3. children or other nonconsenting people
paraphilia
Sexual variation vs paraphilic behavior
more of a difference of degree
- difference between finding something sexually arousing and needing that thing to become sexually aroused
- regarded as harmless because they are victimless
- e.g. Fetishism
Noncoercive paraphilias
sexual attraction to objects that become sexual symbols
Fetishism
characterized by sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving use of nonliving objects
- to produce or enhance sexual arousal
- with or in the absence of a partner
- over a period of at least six months
- causing significant distress
Fetishes
5 most common fetishes (website)
- feet
- shoes
- leather
- hair
- body piercings
Involve victimization
- zoophilia
- voyeruism
- exhibitionism
- telephone scatologia
- frotteurism
- necrophilia
- pedophilia
- sexual sadism
- sexual masochism
Coercive paraphilias
the person derives sexual pleasure from exposing his genitals to others in situations where this is clearly inappropriate
- they do not desire sexual contact with the victim
Exhibitionism
a person who becomes sexually aroused from secretly viewing nudes
- peeping tom
Voyeur
having sexual relations with another person while a third person watches. Combines elements of exhibitionism and voyeurism
Troilism
a sexual variation in which the person becomes sexually arouse by observing others’ sexual acts and genitals
Scoptophilia
a person who derives sexual satisfaction from inflicting pain on another person
Sadist
a person who derives sexual satisfaction from experiencing pain.
Masochist
combines sadistic and masochistic sexual behavior
- eroticizing pain
- tend to alternate between roles
Sadomasochism
woman who specializes in disciplining a person, and her submissive partner is called a slave
Dominatrix
Common forms of D/S
- bondage & discipline
- humiliation
- not the same as child sexual abuse
- psychiatric disorder requiring treatment
- child victim 13 or younger
- perpetrator age 16 or older (at least 5 years older than the child)
Pedophilia
The desire to induce in oneself a state of oxygen deficiency in order to create sexual arousal or to enhance excitement and orgasm
Asphyxiophilia
is identified as sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving touching or rubbing one’s genitals against the body of a nonconsenting person
Frotteurism (frottage)
sexual gratification from viewing or sexual contact with a dead person
Necrophilia
sexual contact with an animal
Zoophilia (bestiality)
Sexual excitement achieved by setting fires
Pyromania
sexual pleasure is associated with feces
Coprophilia
sexual pleasure is associated with urine
Urophilia
sexual arousal through interest in amputations
Amputism
Becoming sexually aroused by using small animals or insects to crawl and nibble on the body
Fornicophilia
Receiving sexual pleasure by sticking objects into the urethra
SExual urethralism
sexual intercourse between family members and close relatives
Incest
giving or receiving (more common) of sexual arousal from introducing liquids into the rectum and colon via the anus
Klismaphilia
- uses of the internet to access sexually oriented materials, chat rooms, and bulletin boards
- characterized by anonymity, accessibility, and affordability
- can become compulsive, addictive, paraphilic
Cybersex use and abuse
characterized by recurrent and intense sexual fantasies, sexual urges, or sexual behaviors
Sexual addiction or hypersexual disorder
Treatment of sexual variations: Medical treatments
- Hormonal treatment
- psychopharmacological treatment
Treatments of sexual variations: cognitive behavioral therapies
- psychotherapy
- group therapy
- behavior therapy
- social skills training
- modification of distorted thinking
- relapse prevention
Saying “No” three-step approach
- express appreciation for the invitation
- say “No” and be clear
- Offer an alternative
Avoid sending mixed messages (communication barriers)
- Bypassing: Attaching different meanings to words
- Ex. “sexual relations”, “hooking up” - Frame of reference: influences communication style
- Ex. “ladies” don’t discuss sex - Lack of language skills: ability to speak directly
- Lack of listening skills: ability to read verbal and non-verbal communication
- Mind-altering drugs: inhibitions and ability to communicate fade, so does your control of the situation
- Ex. “liquid courage”
