Sex Terms and Concepts Flashcards
1
Q
Abstinence
A
Not having sex play
2
Q
Abstinence Only Curricula
A
Sexuality education programs that advocate sexual abstinence before marriage. They do not provide information about contraception, safer sex, or sexual orientation.
3
Q
Acquaintance Rape
A
Sexual intercourse coerced by someone known to the victim.
4
Q
Adultery
A
Sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse.
5
Q
Age of consent
A
The age at which one is considered old enough to decide to have sexual intercourse.
6
Q
Age of majority
A
The age at which one becomes a legal adult.
7
Q
Anal Intercourse
A
Sex play in which the penis enters the anus.
8
Q
Androgyny
A
A gender identity that allows expression of both gender roles.
9
Q
Anorexia
A
An eating disorder often caused by poor body image in which people, usually women, don’t eat or eat very little to remain or become thin.
10
Q
Anorgasmia
A
The inability to have an orgasm.
11
Q
Aphrodisiac
A
A substance that is suppose to increase sexual desire.
12
Q
Asphyxophilia
A
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on being strangled up to the point of passing out.
13
Q
Autoerotic
A
Providing sexual stimulation for oneself.
14
Q
Autoerotic Asphyxiation
A
Self-strangulation for sexual arousal.
15
Q
Autonomy
A
The ability to freely exercise one’s own will.
16
Q
Biastophilia
A
A paraphilia where sexual arousal is dependent on sexually attacking a nonconsenting, surprised, terrified, and struggling stranger. This is a type of rape, but most rapes are committed by normophilic men.
17
Q
Binge Eating Disorder
A
Compulsive overeating.
18
Q
Bisexual
A
One who is attracted to people of both genders.
19
Q
Blue Balls
A
Genital aching may occur when men do not have an ejaculation following stimulation. Women may experience similar aches if they do not reach orgasm, but because of sexist influences in development of our language about sex, there is no common expression to describe a woman’s symptoms.
20
Q
Body Image
A
One’s attitudes and feelings about one’s own body and appearance.
21
Q
Bondage & Discipline
A
Sexual role play or behavior that includes elements of sadism or masochism. Often one partner is bound or leashed.
22
Q
Bulimia
A
An eating disorder in which binge eating is followed by purging with laxatives and self-induced vomiting.
23
Q
Celibacy
A
Not having sex paly.
24
Q
Chastity Belt
A
A variety of devices designed to prevent women, men, or children from having sex. Used from medieval to modern times, these devices were also supposed to preserve morality. Some were meant to ensure fidelity in women in absence of their husband. Others were designed to prevent masturbation and nocturnal emissions.
25
Child Abuse
Sexual assault against a child by an older person.
26
Child Pornography
Images of children designed to be sexually arousing.
27
Circumcision
An operation to remove foreskin of the penis.
28
Climax
Orgasm
29
Cohabitation
Living together in a sexual relationship.
30
Coming Out
The process of accepting and being open about one's sexual orientation.
31
Companionate Love
Affection and deep emotional attachment that may be erotic.
32
Comstock Act
An 1873 law that made it a federal crime to distribute anything considered "obscene, lewd, lascivious, indecently filthy, or vile" including sex education.
33
Continuous Abstinence
Having no sex play for long periods of time (months-years).
34
Corporal Punishment
A form of discipline that inflicts pain on one's body.
35
Crossdresser
Women and men who like to occasionally wear various articles of clothing associated with the other gender for the fun of it.
36
Cultural Norm
An activity, belief, or value that is shared by members of a particular culture.
37
Culture
The shared beliefs, values, heritage, customs, norms, art, food, language, and rituals of a community.
38
Date Rape
Coerced sexual intercourse during a dating relationship.
39
Delayed Ejaculation
Commonly used term for inhibited orgasm in men.
40
Depression
The feeling of great sadness that takes control over one's life.
41
Desire
A feeling of sexual attraction or arousal. The 1st stage of the sexual response cycle.
42
Diversity
The presence of many different kinds of people, including people of various racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and social classes.
43
Domestic Partnership
The committed, long-term relationship of two unmarried people who live together.
44
Dominance & Submission
Erotic activities that play out fantasies of power and powerlessness.
45
Dominance Culture
The group that holds political, ideological, and economic power in a diverse society.
46
Don Juanism
The desire by a man to have sex very frequently with many different partners.
47
Double Standard
An unequal set of moral standards, rules, or expectations that allows one group to have more privileges than another group within a society.
48
Dyspareunia
Painful intercourse for women that may be caused by hormonal imbalances, especially those that happen after menopause.
49
Early Ejaculation
Ejaculation occurring before a man wants it to occur.
50
Ejaculation
The moment when semen spurts out of the opening of the urethra in the glans of the penis.
51
Ejaculatory Inevitability
The moment during sexual excitement when a man cannot stop his ejaculation. The prostate begins contracting and pulsing out seminal fluid.
52
Emancipated Minor
A minor who has legal autonomy and usually lives on her or his own without financial support from parents or guardian.
53
Erectile Dysfunction
The inability to become erect or maintain an erection with a partner.
54
Erection
A "hard" penis when it becomes full of blood and stiffens.
55
Erogenous Zone
Any area of the body very sensitive to sensual touch.
56
Erotic
That which is sexually arousing.
57
Erotica
Sexually arousing imagery that is not considered pornographic, obscene, or offensive to the average person.
58
Erotophilia
Appreciation of the erotic.
59
Erotophobia
Fear and anxiety about the erotic.
60
Ethnocentric
The belief that one's own country, culture, or ethnic group is superior to others.
61
Excitement
The body's physical response to desire and to stimulation. The 2nd stage of the sexual response cycle.
62
Exhibitionism
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on exposing the sex organs to those who will be surprised.
63
Exhibitionists
Women or men who expose their sex organs to other people without their consent, usually in public places.
64
Extramarital Sex
Sexual intercourse by a married person with someone other than their spouse.
65
Fake Orgasm
The pretense of having reached climax in order to end sex or please a partner.
66
Fantasy
A sexually arousing thought and mental image.
67
Female Circumcision
The practice of removing a girl's clitoral hood, clitoris, and/or the labia. Often called female genital mutilation; it is practiced in some African, Near Eastern, and Southeast Asian cultures.
68
Feminine
Characteristics and ways of behaving that a culture associates with being a girl or woman.
69
Feminism
The belief that women and men have equal social, economic, sexual, and political rights.
70
Fetishism
A paraphilia in which certain objects, substances, or parts of the body become necessary for sexual arousal.
71
Fidelity
Strict observance of promises, especially of faithfulness.
72
Foreplay
Physical and sexual stimulation (kissing, touching, stroking, and massaging). Often happens in the excitement stage of the sexual response cycle. Often happens before intercourse, but can lead to orgasm without intercourse, in which case it can be called outercourse.
73
Formal Values
Socially sanctioned ideals for human behavior that may or may not be consistent with actual behaviors that are sanctioned.
74
Fornication
Sexual intercourse between unmarried people.
75
Gang Rape
Sexual assault committed by two or more people; also called fraternity or party rape.
76
Gay Bashing
Physical or verbal assaults on people who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
77
Gay Liberation Movement
The movement to establish civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
78
Gay Rights
Civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people that are equal to those guaranteed to straight people.
79
Gender
One's biological, social, or legal status as male or female.
80
Gender Assignment
Medical and legal description of one's gender that is given at birth.
81
Gender Dysphoria
Conflicted feelings about one's gender, gender assignment, and gender identity.
82
Gender Identity
Feelings about one's gender and gender role.
83
Gender Norms
Social Standards about appropriate feminine and masculine behavior.
84
Gender Roles
Social norms about behaving feminine or masculine.
85
Gender Scripting
The socialization process by which one is conditioned to adopt certain behaviors, preferences, and attitudes considered appropriate for his or her gender.
86
Gender Stereotypes
Unrealistic expectations based on gender.
87
Hermaphrodite
Someone with both female and male sex organs.
88
Heterosexism
The bias that everyone is or should be heterosexual.
89
Heterosexual
Someone who desires the other gender.
90
Homophobia
Fear of gays, lesbians, or bisexuals.
91
Homosexual
Someone who desires someone of the same gender.
92
Homosocial
Including only one gender.
93
Hyper Femininity
Exaggeration of gender-stereotyped behavior that is believed feminine.
94
Hyper Masculinity
The exaggeration of gender stereotyped behavior that is believed to be masculine.
95
Hyperphilia
Having sex more often than most people.
96
Hypoactive Sexual Desire
The lack of sexual desire.
97
Hypophilia
Having sex very infrequently, or not at all.
98
Incest
Sexual activity between family members.
99
Infatuation
Impulsive, usually short lived, emotional and erotic attachment to another person.
100
Informal Values
Social sanctions for behaviors that may or may not be consistent with socially sanctioned ideals for behavior.
101
Inhibited Arousal
The inability to become sexually aroused and enjoy sex play, despite one's desire.
102
Inhibited Orgasm
Inability to have an orgasm.
103
Inhibited Sexual Desire
Lack of sexual desire.
104
Inhibition
Feeling restraint due to fear or guilt.
105
Intercourse
Sexual activity between two people in which insertion of the penis occurs.
106
Internalized Homophobia
Fear of homosexuality with in themselves.
107
Intimacy
The closeness and familiarity we feel as we share our private and personal selves with someone.
108
Jealousy
Anxiety about a partner's love and commitment.
109
Kleptomania
Paraphilia where arousal comes from stealing.
110
Lesbian
Homosexual woman.
111
Libido
Sex drive
112
Limerence
A powerful and constantly distracting obsession.
113
Long Term Reorganization Phase
The second phase of rape trauma syndrome, in which the victim tries to regain control of life.
114
Love
A strong caring for someone else.
115
Lovemap
A blueprint of one's adult sexual appreciations and preferences that develops while one is growing up.
116
Lust
The desire for sexual pleasure.
117
Marital Rape
Coerced sex within marriage.
118
Masculine
Characteristics and ways of behaving that a culture associates with being a boy or a man.
119
Masochism
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on sexual role play or fantasy that includes receiving punishment, discipline, or humiliation.
120
Masturbation
Touching yourself for pleasure.
121
Megan's Law
Federal and state laws that require police to notify citizens of the presence of convicted pedophiles in their communities.
122
Miscegenation
Marriage or sex between different races.
123
Monogamous Relationship
A relationship in which both people date or have sex only with each other.
124
Multiple Orgasms
More than one orgasm occurring within the same sexual encounter.
125
Mutuality
Reciprocating equally with feelings and behavior.
126
Normophilia
Sexual preferences that are considered common or "normal" according to social norms.
127
Nymphomania
The desire by a woman to have sex very frequently with many different partners.
128
Obscenity
Sexually arousing imagery that is considered socially offensive.
129
Oedipal Conflict
The Freudian theory that children have an unconscious sexual attachment to the parent of the other gender, causing them to be hostile toward the parent of the same gender.
130
Open Relationship
A relationship in which both partners are free to date or have sex with other people.
131
Oral Sex
Sex play involving mouth and sex organs.
132
Orgasm
The peak of sexual arousal when all the muscles that were tightened during sexual arousal relax, causing a very pleasurable feeling that may involve the whole body. The 4th stage of the sexual response cycle.
133
Outercourse
Nonpenetrative sex play.
134
Paraphilia
A sex practice that becomes necessary for sexual arousal but that is not approved by social norms.
135
Parental Consent
Requirement that one or both parents give written permission for a minor child to receive medical attention or to enter a legal contract.
136
Passionate Love
Intense feelings of erotic attachment.
137
Pedophilia
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal for an adult becomes dependent on having sexual contact or fantasies of sexual contact with children.
138
Peer Pressure
The efforts of a group of equals to maintain conformity to the group social norms.
139
Performance Anxiety
Fear of being unable to please a partner.
140
Physical Fitness
A condition of good health that results from healthy food, exercise, and regular medical checkups.
141
Pictophilia
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on viewing pornographic pictures, movies, or videos with or without a partner.
142
Plateau
The state of sexual arousal in which a person has been sexually excited and may approach orgasm. 3rd stage of the sexual response cycle.
143
Polygamy
Having more than one spouse.
144
Pornography
Erotic imagery.
145
Premarital Sex
Sex before marriage.
146
Prostitution
Performance of sexual acts for pay.
147
Puritans
Early American protestant colonists who established English laws and social and sexual mores in the northeastern U.S., though actually less sexually restrictive than commonly believed, the Puritan is now the symbol of sexual suppression.
148
Rape
Coerced sex
149
Rape Trauma Syndrome
The emotional and physical consequences one experiences after being sexually assaulted.
150
Rapid Orgasm
When a woman climaxes more quickly than her partner and loses interest in continued sex play.
151
Reality Based Sexuality Education
Age-appropriate, culturally sensitive sexuality education programs that include open, nonjudgmental information about all aspects of sexuality; they encourage critical thinking, self-actualization, and behavioral changes through the empowerment of holistic knowledge about the body, sex, relationships, birth control, safer sex, gender role, and so on, by being realistic about people's lives.
152
Resolution
The period after orgasm in which the body returns to non stimulated state. Last state of the sexual response cycle.
153
Retarded Ejaculation
Inhibited orgasm in men.
154
Retrograde Ejaculation
An ejaculation from the prostate into the bladder.
155
Role Play
Acting out a fantasy with a partner.
156
Romantic Love
An idealized love relationship that is often as unrealistic as it is passionate.
157
Sacred
Devoted to religious purpose.
158
Sadism
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on sexual role play or fantasy that includes giving punishment, discipline, or humiliation.
159
Sadomasochism
The consensual use of domination and/or pain for sexual stimulation in sex play.
160
Safer Sex
Ways in which people reduce the risk of getting sexually transmitted infections.
161
Safe word
A previously agreed upon signal that means a partner is no longer enjoying a sexual activity and it must stop.
162
Satyriasis
The desire by a man to have sex very frequently with many different partners.
163
Secular
Devoted to human purpose.
164
Self Esteem
Self-respect; worthwhile feeling
165
Sex
Gender/ sex play
166
Sex Drive
Our natural urge and desire to have sex.
167
Sexism
Bias against a certain gender-usually women.
168
Sexology
The scientific study of sex and sexuality through many disciplines including, but not limited to, anthropology, biology, sociology, history, psychology, medicine, and law.
169
Sex Play
Any voluntary sexual activity, with or without a partner.
170
Sex Therapy
Treatment to resolve a sexual problem or dysfunction such as premature ejaculation in ability to have orgasm, or low level of sexual desire.
171
Sexual Abuse
Sexual activity that is harmful or not consensual.
172
Sexual Addiction
The compulsive search for having very frequent sex.
173
Sexual Assault
The use of force or coercion, physical or psychological, to make a person engage in sexual activity.
174
Sexual Aversion Disorder
The fear of sexual contact.
175
Sexual Compulsion Anonymous
A self-help recovery group for women and men who went to control what they believe to be sexual addictions.
176
Sexual Conflict
The clash between sex drive and sexual inhibition.
177
Sexual Desire
A strong physically arousing attraction.
178
Sexual Discomfort
Feelings of sexual inhibition that are not as severe as dysfunctions.
179
Sexual Dysfunction
A psychological or physical disorder of sexual function.
180
Sexual Harassment
Unwanted sexual advances with suggestive gestures, language, or touching.
181
Sexual Identity
Feelings about one's own sexual orientation, gender, gender role, and gender identity.
182
Sexuality
The interplay of gender, gender role, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, and social norms as they affect physical emotional, and spiritual life.
183
Sexual Norm
A cultural norm regarding sex or sexuality.
184
Sexual Norm
A cultural norm regarding sex or sexuality.
184
Sexual Orientation
The term used to describe the gender of the objects of our sexual desire.
185
Sexual Repression
The suppression of sexual activities, ideas, or identities that are perceived to be harmful or morally wrong.
186
Sexual Response Cycle
The pattern of response to sexual stimulation. The 5 stages are desire>excitement>plateau>orgasm>resolution
187
Sexual Seduction
Legally, the encouragement of a younger or less mature person into an illegal sexual situation.
188
Sexual Stereotype
An overly simplified judgement or bias regarding the sexuality of a person or group.
189
Sex Worker
One who is paid for providing sex or sexually arousing conditions, including prostitution, strip tease, lap dancing, commercial phone sex, and erotic massage.
190
Social Stigma
Severe disapproval for behavior that is nor within cultural norms.
191
Sociology
The study of human relationships, interactions, beliefs, values, behaviors, and their meanings.
192
Sodomy
Oral or anal intercourse.
193
Spectatoring
The habit of thinking about, comparing, grading, and monitoring one's sexual performance while having sex.
194
Squeeze Technique
A method for postponing early ejaculation.
195
Statutory Rape
Sexual intercourse between an adult and anyone who is below the age of consent whether or not it is voluntary.
196
Stereotype
An overly simplified judgment or bias regarding a person or group
197
Stimuli
Things that excite response or action.
198
Straight
Heterosexual
199
Stranger Rape
Coerced sexual intercourse by an assailant unknown to the victim.
200
Stress
Being made to feel threatened or challenged in some way.
201
Taboo
Behavior that is beyond the moral limits of cultural norms.
202
Tenting
The expansion of the inner vagina during sexual excitement.
203
Transgender
Women and men who dress in the clothing associated with the other gender because they enjoy being treated as if they were of the other gender-not for sexual pleasure/ (very flawed definition).
204
Transvestites
Women and men who dress in clothing associated with people of the other gender because it gives them sexual pleasure.
205
Transvestophilia
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on wearing clothing, especially underwear.
206
Uncircumcised
Penis has foreskin
207
Vaginal Intercourse
Sex play where the penis penetrates vagina
208
Vaginismus
Painful intercourse for a woman that occurs when her fear and anxiety about vaginal intercourse cause the muscles around her vagina to go into spasm when her partner tries to insert a penis or dildo.
209
Values
Ideas of what is right, worthwhile or moral.
210
Virginity
Never having had sex
211
Voyeurism
A paraphilia in which sexual arousal becomes dependent on watching people undress or have sex play unaware that they are being watched.
212
Voyeurs
Women and men who become aroused by secretly watching another person undress or engage in sexual behavior.
213
Wet Dream
Erotic imaging during sleep
