Sexual Orientation and communication in relationships Flashcards
Modern conception of sexual orientation
modern conception views sexual orientation on a spectrum from more to less homosexual.
This conception contradicts the idea that sexuality is strictly binary as previously thought.
This will also call into question whether homosexuality is a pathology.
Modern conception of sexual orientation
Sexual orientation is not static!
Sexual orientation will vary throughout life depending, among other things, on the environment
Women tend to be more fluid
Sexual orientation is not just attraction to one gender but a complex interaction between gender identity, gender expression, biological sex and sexual desire.
4 levels of communication in a relationship
Small-talk: superficial exchange of information aimed at establishing the first connections between people
Self-revealing: an effort is made to inform others of who we are, it can be difficult to know the limit. Typically, women have an easier time opening up to others.
Intimacy: The sharing of the most intimate thoughts and emotions. Having high self-esteem makes intimacy easier. Trust and concern for others are established.
Commitment: The couple speaks more to us, a certain fusional relationship is established, but a certain individuality must remain.
Freudian theory…
homosexuality results from a failure to identify with parents of the same sex during the Oedipus complex because of a fusional mother and a distant father in boys.
It could also come from castration anxiety, the absence of a penis in women would unconsciously cause anxiety.
Social interaction theory…
Positive homosexual experiences would lead us to be more inclined towards homosexuality.
Negative heterosexual experiences lead us to be less inclined towards heterosexuality. (and vice versa)
And yet many people will experiment and have positive experiences without adopting new sexual orientations.
The prevailing theory stipulate that having positive sexual experiences will lead people to further explore their sexual desires and potentially discover their actual identity.
Why is mental health a struggle for homosexuals
Historically, non-heterosexual and non-cisgender people suffer from significantly more mental disorders (such as anxiety disorders and depressive disorders) than the general population.
Acceptance, especially from family and friends, has been observed to be one of the most contributing factors to this reduction.
Explain:
Destructive
Constructive
Avoidance
Rival-orientented Communication
Insults threats and violence
Discussion of the emotions
Keeping quiet and acting like nothing is wrong
Assumptions about a rival, sometimes made-UP, stalking, confrontation
