MIDTERM (3) Flashcards
What are some sexual taboo topics people avoid discussing?
Multiple partners, sexual health, kinks/fantasies, sexual history, wants/desires, baby talk, and relationship status.
What are some non-sexual taboo topics people avoid discussing?
Sex with non-partners, platonic connections, hobbies, menstruation, contraception, and one-night stands.
What is the onion theory in relationships?
It refers to unraveling different layers of a partner’s personality and life over time, moving from low-concept (surface-level) to high-concept (deeper) topics.
What are the three competing goals of communication identified by sexologists?
End Goal: Saying what you want to say, regardless of feelings.
Relational Goal: Avoiding offending or hurting your partner.
Identity Management: Maintaining how others perceive you.
Where do we learn to communicate?
From social institutions like family, which shape social and emotional development, and through the life span perspective (what we learn early in life develops as we age).
What are examples of non-verbal communication?
Body language, facial expressions, posture, hand gestures, and eye contact.
How does culture influence non-verbal communication?
Some cultures are stoic (e.g., Russians, UK), while others are expressive (e.g., North Americans). For example, Black women often face disparities in healthcare due to cultural misunderstandings.
What is CMC, and what are its challenges?
CMC includes texting and social media. Challenges include:
- Loss of context and tone (e.g., sarcasm).
- Decline in face-to-face communication and difficulty picking up social cues.
What is genderlect, and how do men and women communicate differently?
Coined by Deborah Tannen, genderlect refers to differences in communication styles:
- Women: Establish rapport (e.g., discussing school, marriage, children).
- Men: Establish report (e.g., straightforward, task-oriented communication).
How do women typically communicate compared to men?
Women use tag questions (“Isn’t it cold in here?”), question statements (“Is it just me, or is it cold?”), disclaimer statements (“Call me crazy, but it’s cold”), and hedge questions (“Would you mind increasing the temp?”). Men are more straightforward (“It’s freezing in here”).
What is the myth about the number of words men and women speak daily?
The myth claims women speak 20,000 words and men speak 7,000 words, but research shows both speak around 16,000 words.
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Sex
- Biological terms, assigned at birth
- Male/female
Gender
- social construct
- woman/man
How does communication differ in heterosexual vs. same-sex relationships?
Heterosexual: Communication problems arise due to gender roles and status dynamics.
Same-sex: Better communication about finances, politics, and morality due to equal power dynamics.
What is the common denominator in relationship communication issues?
Power dynamics (e.g., domestic chores, finances, intimacy).
What are the top three traits people notice first in others?
Smile, eyes, and lips.
What is a fetish, and how can it affect individuals?
A fetish is a sexual obsession with a physical trait (e.g., feet, pregnancy, race). It can lead to embarrassment and self-consciousness.
