Module 2: Sex Research and Theory Flashcards
define scientific research
- approach used by researchers to acquire to knowledge and understanding about behavior and other phenomena of interest
why are people who study human sexuality sometimes subjected to ridicule or sarcasm
human sexuality is a topic that many consider to be taboo
what dimensions of health does human sexuality include
- all dimensions of health
- physical, social, emotional, intellectual, etc.
are people generally honest in human sexuality surveys
people are generally honest if the survey is confidential
list two professional organizations that study human sexuality
- the society for the scientific study of sexuality
- the kinsey institute for sex research
what university is the kinsey institute for sex research apart of
indiana university
what are the three theories of sexuality
- biological
- psychological
- sociological
define biological theories of sexuality
- focused on the physical aspects of sexuality
- includes both physiological and evolutionary theories
describe the physiological theory of sexuality
- biological
- explains how physiological processes affect and are affected by sexual behavior
- physical effects of attraction/orgasm, sexual response
describe the evolutionary theory of sexuality
- biological
- explains human sexual behavior on the basis of human evolution
- Darwinism: selecting mates with the best characteristics to pass down
describe the features that women are attracted to in a man based on the evolutionary theory of sexuality
- attributes that show that a partner can provide and protect
- height, muscles
describe the features that men are attracted to in a woman based on the evolutionary theory of sexuality
- attributes that show a partner can take care of a home and have children
- breasts, broad hips
define psychological theories of sexuality
- account for the influence of personality, learning, thoughts, and emotions on human sexuality
- includes psychoanalytic theory and classical conditioning
describe the psychoanalytic theory of sexuality
- psychological
- emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in our lives
- id, ego, superego
describe the terms id, ego, and superego
- id: pleasure seeking and basic needs (food, water, shelter, sex)
- ego: conscious thought, keeps id in check, holds personal values
- superego: conscience, supplies guilt when the id wins over the ego
who developed the ideas of the id, ego, and superego
Sigmund Freud
what human drive did Sigmund Freud think was most important
libido
describe classical conditioning
- a process where a stimulus and a response that are not originally linked become connected
- Pavlov’s dogs
what can be used to understand fetishes
classical conditioning
define operant conidtioning
rewarding someone for performing a good behavior
define sociological theories of sexuality
- explain how society and social groups affect and are affected by sexual attitudes and behaviors
- includes symbolic interaction theory
describe the symbolic interaction theory of sexuality
- sociological
- explains how meanings, labels, and definitions that are learned through interactions affect our attitudes, self-concept, and behavior
- creating social scripts
give examples of societal expectations
- how women/men should behave (social scripts)
- beauty standards
- trends
do all societies have the same societal expectations
- no
- different cultures have different beliefs
define social scripts
how we should/are expected to act around others based on societal expectations
what are the general social scripts for men and women
- men: aggressive/assertive, less emotional
- women: emotional, passive
list the steps of conducting sex research
- identify a question or concern about a particular human or social issue (topic of interest)
- review the literature and discover what other researchers have already learned about that issue
- formulate a hypothesis and operationalize definitions
- collect data
- draw conclusions based on results
define hypothesis
a prediction stated in a way that allows it to be tested
describe operationalizing definitions
- explaining exactly what you mean with each term used in research
- keeps everyone (researchers and participants) on the same page
- limits data being skewed by different interpretations of terms
list research methods
- survey research
- field research
- case study research
- archival research
describe survey research
- sample of people asked a series of questions about their behaviors, thoughts, and attitudes
- can be face-to-face, by phone, by mail, using questionnaires, or on the internet
- the sample should be representative of a larger population
describe field research
- observation of naturally occurring behavior in settings in which they normally occur
- participant observation or non-participant observation
describe participant observation in field research
the researcher participates in the phenomenon being studied
describe non-participant observation in field research
the researcher observes but does not participate in what is being studied
describe case study research
an in-depth, detailed analysis of an individual, small group, relationship, or event
describe archival research
- investigating the issue through the study of historical documents
- longitudinal: through time
- tracking trends
are there ethical limitations to sex research
yes
list the ethical considerations when performing sex research
- do no harm (physical and psychological)
- ensure informed consent
- ensure confidentiality
- ensure anonymity
- voluntary participation
define informed consent
knowing exactly what you are getting into
define confidentiality
not sharing information with others
define anonymity
not asking for identifying info such as name, UIN, or phone number
define voluntary participation
- participants decide if they want to participate in the study or not based on informed consent
- no coercion
describe the Tuskegee syphilis study
- study conducted by the US government on the progression of syphilis
- studied the black population because they had little education on the matter
- participants were told they had bad blood so many assumed they were being studied for sickle cell anemia; no informed consent
- participants were barred from receiving treatment even though it was available
- the study ran until 1972
describe the creation of gynecological exams
- OBGYN named J. Marion Simms was the father of gynecological exams in the mid 1800s
- he practiced exams on enslaved women; no voluntary participation
define closed-ended questions
those which can be answered by a simple one-word/numerical response
define open-ended questions
those which require more though and more than a simple one-word answer
is this a closed or open ended question: what is your sex?
closed
is this a closed or open ended question: how has your religion impacted your views of sex?
open
is this a closed or open ended question: how many sexual partners have you had?
closed
is this a closed or open ended question: what is your sexual orientation?
closed
is this a closed or open ended question: what are your views on using contraceptives when sexually active?
open
is this a closed or open ended question: do you use condoms?
closed
is this a closed or open ended question: how would you define “safe sex”?
open
what happens if your survey has too many questions (over 12)
people stop filling it out
define double-barreled questions
- questions that contain two questions in one
- the answers to each question may be different
give an example of a double-barreled question and correct it
- double-barreled: I can talk to my friends and family about sexual health
- corrected: I can talk to my friends about sexual health OR I can talk to my family about sexual health
define biased or leading questions
- the researcher inputs their own bias into the questions
- the question is looking for a specific answer
give an example of a biased/leading question and correct it
- biased/leading question: relationships are hard. does talking with your partner make your relationship more likely to succeed?
- corrected: talking opening with my partner makes my relationship more likely to succeed
define a credible source
- free from bias
- backed up with evidence
- written by trustworthy author or organization
what acronym can by used to identify credible sources
CRAAP
what does CRAAP stand for
- currency
- relevance
- authority
- accuracy
- purpose
define this part of CRAAP: currency
- is the source up to date
- electronic sources: written in the last 3 years
where can you usually find the date an online article was written
at the bottom of the web page
define this part of CRAAP: relevance
- is the source relevant to your research
- does it give the information you need for your research
define this part of CRAAP: authority
- where is the source published
- who is the author and are they considered reputable and trustworthy in their field
which type of websites generally fulfill the authority requirement of CRAAP
- .edu
- .gov
- .org
define this part of CRAAP: accuracy
- is the source supported by evidence
- are the claims cited correctly
define this part of CRAAP: purpose
- what was the motive behind publishing this source
- disseminate information to increase knowledge (good) or further political agenda/get you click on a site for money (bad)
